1.VerbTo deliver a message by telephone when etiquette demands the effort and respect conveyed by communication in person.
"Please give us the courtesy of showing up instead of phoning in.; Please give us the courtesy of delivering it in person instead of phoning it in."
2.VerbTo make a telephone call to a broadcasting station, especially to participate in a program being aired.
"We've got Brian phoning in from Phoenix. Brian, you're on the air."
3.VerbTo fulfill a responsibility with a minimum effort rather than the appropriate level of effort.
"phone it in; He thought he could phone in the scheduling process, but it takes sharp negotiations around here.; He thought he could phone it in. [pronoun antecedent: the scheduling process]; We're sick of Alice's attitude. She's been phoning it in ever since Bob left. [pronoun antecedent: notional: either "her job" or undefined]"
4.VerbTo make an unseemly, timid performance; to be restrained and timid when bold action is called for.