"Group have been on the blower again," he went on.

The other term - and one I should have used - is on the blower, which has a nicely archaic feel.

Greg Random was on the blower to me just before I left the office.

Moments later, his voice was on the blower: "All hands to landfall stations."

Pretty soon The Chairman's chief would be on the blower demanding an explanation.

No doubt he was on the blower to Sacred Globe immediately.

And if ever there's tuppence too much on the bloody account he's on the blower!

My son’s headmaster was on the blower.

For all they know I'm on the blower right now bawling out descriptions to Interpol.

Her father, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, has been on the blower.

The First Sea Lord's on the blower, sir,' the communications officer interrupted.

Takeover panel will be on the blower

Piero's on the blower now, giving instructions.

Chiefs been on the blower twice.'

He'll be on the blower this afternoon demanding to know what name to put on his report, I bet you.' '

Who's on the Blower?

Coming into Longford, we are on the blower (Angus, we need fuel!).

Will Sturgeon soon be on the blower to Tank Commander asking him to chap doors for her at the next election?

The State folks had already been on the blower to the French, who were propping up the Hutu militias.

I guess Guus Hiddink won't be using those words if he's on the blower to a certain Norwegian football official today.

Sid Lowe is on the blower from Madrid with news of Real's new formation and why Valencia have been able to fight another day.

He concluded his review by saying hopefully "Michael Eavis has already been on the blower for a headline slot at Glasto 2016".

But no, at eight o'clock O'l ley's on the blower issuing orders like I'm on wofW experience.

Has Pimco's UK chief Andrew Balls been on the blower again to his old FT mates?

The Minister of Defence is on the blower every five minutes, and half the senior staff at Science are badgerin me, and I don't even know what happened.'