Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
Play Phone Tag
Play Phone Tag English, baby! Video Lesson

Learn English meaning of ‘play phone tag’

Date: Jul 25 2017

Themes: Friend, Music, Soap Opera

Grammar: Be Able To

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

You need to ask your best friend a question. You call her, but you can’t get through, so you leave a message. Then, you go out for a walk. When you get home, you see that she called and left you a message. You try to call her again, but she doesn’t answer. So, you sit tight and wait for her to call back. Nothing happens! You even try calling again. Playing phone tag can easily make you stressed out!

When you are playing phone tag, you are trying to talk to a person on the phone, but you are not successful. Tag is a popular children’s game. One person is it. This person must touch, or tag, another person. When they do, the next person becomes it, and the game continues. Trying to talk to a person on the phone is often similar to this game. So, we say that we are playing phone tag when we have tried many times to talk to someone.

The team is confused as everyone tries to find Kelsey in today’s English soap opera.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Dominique

Dominique

Jordin

Jordin

Kelsey

Kelsey

Dominique:  Jordin, where are you?

Jordin:  Still parking. There’s nowhere to park, like, nowhere! Well, did you find Kelsey, yet?

Dominique:  No. I’ve been playing phone tag with Andy. But he said he talked to her. I haven’t been able to get through to talk to her, yet.

Jordin:  OK. Well, at least, Andy’s talked to her. I feel bad! I just want her to have a good show, but now she’s probably going to be all stressed out and lost!

Dominique:  I know.

Jordin:  Oh! Wait! She’s actually calling me right now.

Dominique:  OK. Tell her we’re both looking for her.

Jordin:  OK. Kelsey! Where are you?! Are you OK?

Kelsey:  I’m fine. I’m just so confused about where my show is and where everyone went.

Jordin:  Well, we’ve all been playing phone tag trying to find you. I’m still parking, but Dominique and Andy are very close.

Kelsey:  OK. What should I do? Is the show even still happening? I haven’t seen anyone.

Jordin:  According to the map, this is it. I think, maybe, you three went in the wrong door or something. Just sit tight, and wait for Dominique and Andy to find you, OK?

Kelsey:  OK. Maybe, I’ll just rest my eyes for a moment. I’m still so sleepy.

Jordin:  That’s not a good idea. Don’t do that. Kelsey? Kelsey? Kelsey! WAKE UP!

Kelsey:  Huh. Right. OK. Yeah. Bye.

 

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Be Able To" from this lesson Go Super!

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz Go Super!

 

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3 Go Super!

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Discussion

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

Jordin and Dominique are talking on the phone. Jordin tells Dominique that she is trying to find a parking spot, and Dominique tells Jordin that she is playing phone tag with Andy. Andy talked to Kelsey on the phone, but everyone else has been unsuccessful. Jordin’s phone rings, and she sees that Kelsey is actually calling her.

Jordin tells Kelsey that Andy and Dominique are looking for her. Kelsey is fine, but she’s confused about what happened. She’s not sure that they are in the correct place. Jordin tells her that the map says that they are at the right place. She tells Kelsey to sit tight, and they will find her. Kelsey yawns and begins to fall asleep again.

Who do you play phone tag with the most? Did you ever get lost in a big building?

 

Comments

Log in to Comment

allenzhaojl

China

One time I was playing with my friend in the US and I found him, he was busy, he found me and I was busy and there is no ending for that.

12:47 PM Sep 07 2017 |

La Princesse de la vie

Egypt

I play phone tag a lot with my friends. One time I call and they don’t answer and then comes their turn! 


I get lost a lot when I go to new places. But I ask others and get help every time.

04:28 PM Aug 04 2017 |

Sergijko

Sergijko

Ukraine

Usually it happens to me while trying get through to my mom. We always play phone tag. It’s hard to sit tight sometimes. 

12:39 PM Aug 02 2017 |

eduardosoutoSuper Member!

Brazil

Most part of times that I play phone tag is with my students, they try to get through me, but it’s not possible, most part of times because I am teaching!


I’ve never gotten lost in a big building, all the big buildings that I already entered I knew pretty well!

07:21 PM Jul 26 2017 |

hermitlady

China

   Oh. My boyfriend was ever the one I played phone tag with. Now, my husband is the one I play phone tag with. Yes, when I called someone many time, and couldn’t get through, I would be very upset and anxious and worry.



   No. I never got lost any building. 

02:53 AM Jul 25 2017 |

Likes (4):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast