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to pocket-dial

to pocket-dial

1 4.1
Accidentally call someone because your phone presses buttons in your pocket or bag
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈpɑːkɪtˌdaɪl/
  • Informal
translation icon : marcar accidentalmente

Examples

  • Do you think you pocket dialed them?

  • Oh, I didn't realize I pocket-dialed 1-800-LOWLIFE.

  • I accidentally pocket-dialed my friend while my phone was in my bag.

  • She always worries about pocket-dialing someone when her phone is in her pocket.

  • He just realized he pocket-dialed his boss and quickly ended the call.

Synonyms

to dial
vsto pocket-dial
378 1.7

To enter a phone number by pressing buttons or turning a control

occurs accidentally when buttons are pressed inside a pocket or bag
to call up
vsto pocket-dial
209 2.5

To phone someone

happens without intention rather than as a planned contact
to make a call
vsto pocket-dial
93 1.0

To phone someone

occurs accidentally instead of an intended telephone contact
to give a ring
vsto pocket-dial
1 2.2

To phone someone

occurs accidentally from unintentional button presses inside clothing or bag

Surface Forms

pocket-dial infinitive
pocket-dialed past participle
pocket-dialing present participle
pocket-dials third person singular

Morphology

pocket-dial = pocket + dial (transparent) = pocket + dial

The components 'pocket' + 'dial' combine directly to indicate dialing originating from a pocket; the verbal sense is an ordinary verbing of the compound.

Etymology

Pocket-dial comes from two simple words: pocket ('small bag in your clothes') and dial ('to call by number'). So it gives a clear picture of a phone in your pocket pressing buttons and calling someone by accident.