How to Get off the Phone Quickly

Last Updated: February 3, 2022

No matter who you are talking to on the phone, there are times when you need to quickly wrap up a call. This wikiHow article will go over some tips and tricks to get off the phone.

Steps

1
Save every incoming number even if you must save it as "Don't answer". You won't need to remember the numbers and can avoid unpleasant conversations with unwanted callers.]]Realize some friends and family may call people out of boredom. Since everyone is bored sometimes you should try to indulge them for at least a few moments. Try to think of why the person calls you and insist for speaking too long. Do you not talk often? Are they lonely?
2
Be honest. If you prefer not to talk on the phone, tell people. Just be polite and don't use excuse for select people who may get their feelings hurt. It is also not advised when you are young and speaking with your parents.
- Being rude isn't generally necessary.
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3
Consider you may just be in a non-talking mood. Don't be rude to a friend. You may regret it later.
4
Give older family or friends respect and the benefit of the doubt before dismissing a call. They could be calling about an emergency.
5
Don't immediately ditch one friend and call another friend. If they happen to call the other person or discuss it later you'll get caught in a lie.
6
Don't get sucked in to a more in-depth conversation after you've told someone you need to get off the phone.
7
Telemarketers sometimes operate off of scripts based on your negative responses. Just say, "Take me off your call list", and hang up. Don't give out information about your family, parents or household.
8
Suggest that you and the caller have too much to catch up for a call. Arrange to meet for lunch.
9
Save all of your incoming numbers to your address book. Even if you don't know the person you can label it "Do Not Answer" or "Telemarketer". That way you won't struggle to remember a weird number or accidentally answer it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Straightforward Method

1
Explain it isn't a great time. You're busy with a project, have a deadline and you're trying to get a certain task done, etc. Ask if they can call you back and give them a better time.
2
Talkers sometimes don't understand subtle hints so it's alright to insist you get back to them later.
3
Starting chatter with them only makes it harder to get off the phone. Limit your chatter and try to determine the purpose of the call.
4
Say you were supposed to call someone back or before a certain time. Tell them you'll call them back once that conversation is over.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Theatrical Method

1
Ring your doorbell and say that somebody is here and you have to go. Knocking on the door is also an option for those without doorbells.
2
Hang up and if you're on a cordless or mobile phone, say it lost battery power.
- If they ring back say you really need to charge it and you can't talk
3
Ask your mom, room-mate, sibling or friend to tell you to get off the phone.
4
Pretend you can no longer hear them and hang up.
5
Say that you have to eat, use the restroom or must get ready to shower.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Avoidance Method

1
Let the call go to voice mail and call them when it is convenient.
2
Let the call go to voice mail and send them an email or text message saying how sorry you are you missed the call. Arrange a time to call back. You can say you'll call them "on the way" to something or in between tasks to guarantee a short call back.
- Telling them you got the message too late to return the call also works.
3
Keep an eye on your caller ID. If it doesn't show up with a number you may want to avoid the call. Someone who expects you to avoid their call may privatize or block the number.

Community Q&A

Question

What should I do when I get tired of talking on the phone? I never say that, because it's not polite. What should I do?

Community Answer

Say, "I should get going now, I need to ________. Talk to you later!" If you really have nothing to do, make something up.
Question

What is a good excuse to get off the phone if I get tired of talking? How can I make it so it doesn't become a suspicious pattern?

Community Answer

You could say that it was really nice talking to them, but you have a ton of work, chores, or homework, etc. that you need to get done, and then try set a time/date to talk to them again so it doesn't seem like you're just trying to get rid of them.

Warnings

If you don't do these steps properly and you make it obvious you're looking for an excuse to get off the phone, your friend may get offended. So be careful.

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