The phrase "gets someone on horn" means to contact someone by phone. It is commonly used in informal situations and has an origin in the use of actual horns as communication devices in the past. The spelling of the word "horn" is /hɔːn/ in IPA phonetics. The "h" is pronounced as a soft sound at the beginning of the word, followed by a long "o" sound that is stressed, and ending with the "n" sound.
"Gets someone on the horn" is an idiomatic expression that originated from the use of telephones, particularly in the earlier days when landlines were prevalent. It refers to the act of making a call to someone or establishing a telephone conversation with them.
The phrase "on the horn" may be derived from the physical design of older telephones, which had a horn-shaped speaker through which one could hear the caller's voice. Thus, "getting someone on the horn" meant reaching them directly over the phone.
In a broader sense, the phrase has evolved to describe any communication method that involves contacting or connecting with someone, not just via a telephone. It can be used interchangeably with phrases like "getting in touch with someone" or "reaching out to someone."
The use of this expression often implies the speaker's determination or urgency in making contact with the intended recipient. It suggests a desire for immediate attention, information, or assistance. For example, if someone says, "I need to get my boss on the horn about these new project deadlines," it means they need to speak to their boss urgently to discuss and clarify the deadlines.
Overall, "getting someone on the horn" has become a colloquial phrase that is commonly used in informal conversations and signifies the act of making contact with someone, primarily through telephone communication.