what does 'the phone is ringing off the hook' mean?

Question

ty

Answer 1

means that the phone is ringing excessively (too much)

Answer 2

Well, you see, phones used to have cords and they sat on a hook and rang an actual bell until you picked up the receiver. So, it's just a metaphor for the phone ringing a lot.

Answer 3

It means it's ringing so often- that it must be 2 weeks before an Election and everybody plus the dogcatcher is calling & asking for your vote!

Answer 4

It means that it is ringing non-stop or you are getting calls back to back. Usually you will hear this when radio stations or talk radio programs are trying to drum up their numbers ...

"After that last story, the phones were ringing off the hook"

Answer 5

Old fashioned phones used to hang on a hook when they were on the wall. When you lifted the receiver off of the hook, you were connected with your caller.

Answer 6

"Old fashioned " phones were on a hook.When it rang,the phone vibrated."Ringing off the hook " simply means the phone was ringing a lot. (i.e.,a lot of oncoming calls.)

Answer 7

a lot of calls are being placed to that particular phone in that time period....it is ringing on a constant basis.

Answer 8

That your phone is always ringing and is always being used meaning it is always busy.

Answer 9

IT means that it should be answered since it wont stop ringing

Answer 10

it means it has been ringing and ringing and ringing and nobody wants to pick it up