aux abonnés absents

French

Etymology

Referring to a now defunct telephone service in France, used to indicate when people were away from their homes

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /o.z‿a.bɔ.ne ap.sɑ̃/

• Audio:

  (file)

Adverb

aux abonnés absents

1. (idiomatic) unavailable or impossible to get in touch with

Usage notes

• Used primarily with être (“to be unavailable”).