telephone tag

American  

noun

1. repeated unsuccessful attempts by two persons to connect with one another by telephone.

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Example Sentences

As we noted earlier, Strzok was not at the meeting, so this is could be an exercise in telephone tag.

From Washington Post • Jun. 26, 2020

So if you're lucky enough to have direct access to your physician via computer, don't abuse the privilege--or we could all wind up playing telephone tag forever.

From Time Magazine Archive

Voice mailboxes were spawned by the pesky problem of telephone tag, when employees keep missing one another and accumulate piles of call-back memos.

From Time Magazine Archive

Enthusiasts insist that the systems not only improve productivity but actually enhance human interactions by eliminating wasted calls and unproductive rounds of "telephone tag."

From Time Magazine Archive

Instant messaging lets the team collaborate efficiently without playing telephone tag or having their e-mail messages cross in the ether.

From Time Magazine Archive