Butt dial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Butt dial" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the accidental dialing of a phone number, usually caused by the phone being in a pocket or bag. Example: "I accidentally butt dialed my friend while I was at the gym, and he heard me talking to someone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The lid also means there's never an opportunity to pocket call, otherwise known as the butt dial.

The Guardian - Tech

Snyder and Chivvis did more research into cell-phone practices of 1998 and learned that the incriminating "Nisha call" could indeed have been a butt dial.

The New Yorker

Even if it's a butt dial.

Huffington Post

But, as Dana says, "Even if the Nisha call could potentially be a butt dial, in the realm of possibility, maybe it was a butt dial.

Huffington Post

His most prized possession is a voicemail his dad left him during a butt dial".  .

Huffington Post

My friend broke up with her boyfriend the other day because of a butt dial.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Don has been butt dialling over the past 48 hours.

The Guardian

I must have butt dialled you!", thereby achieving the amazing double feat of making him think of my butt and forcing him to speak to me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

None of the calls went through and Bates told police these were accidental butt dials.

TechCrunch

Spoiler alert, it turns out that Kristen Wiig has been butt dialing herself with her cell phone.

Huffington Post

The research signals a need for better methods to deal with the millions of random butt dials every year.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about technology, use "butt dial" to describe the event of unintentionally calling someone due to a phone being in one's pocket. It adds a touch of informality to technical discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "butt dial" to describe intentional phone calls, even if the call is awkward or unwanted. "Butt dial" specifically refers to accidental calls made when a phone is in a pocket or bag.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "butt dial" functions as both a noun (referring to the event itself) and a verb (referring to the action of accidentally calling someone). The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Examples show it used in news articles and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "butt dial" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase that describes an unintentional phone call, typically made when a phone is in someone's pocket or purse. According to Ludwig, it functions as both a noun and a verb, predominantly used in informal contexts like news articles and casual conversations. While "butt dial" is less common in formal settings, its meaning is clear and widely recognized, with "pocket dial" serving as its closest synonym. It is important to reserve its usage to accidental calls only. While there are lots of alternative sentences, the term remains the clearest and most descriptive for this specific type of accidental call.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pocket dial

This is a direct synonym, referring to the same action of unintentionally calling someone from a phone in a pocket.

bottom dial

A humorous and slightly more explicit alternative to "butt dial".

bum dial

Another humorous alternative to "butt dial".

accidental call

This is a broader term that encompasses any unintended call, not specifically from a pocket or the buttocks.

inadvertent call

Similar to "accidental call", but slightly more formal.

unintentional call

Another synonym for an accidental or inadvertent call.

pocket dialing incident

Adds a more formal and descriptive aspect to the term.

unplanned phone call

Describes the call as not being scheduled or intended.

unexpected call

Highlights the surprise element of the accidental call.

misdial

This refers to dialing the wrong number, whether intentionally or accidentally.

FAQs

What does "butt dial" mean?

"Butt dial" refers to the act of unintentionally calling someone because your phone is in your pocket or purse and buttons are pressed accidentally.

Is "butt dial" the same as "pocket dial"?

Yes, "butt dial" and "pocket dial" are synonyms and can be used interchangeably to describe the same phenomenon.

What can I say instead of "butt dial"?

You can use alternatives like "pocket dial", "accidental call", or "inadvertent call" depending on the context.

How common is it for phones to "butt dial"?

The frequency of "butt dialing" depends on phone settings and user behavior, but it's a fairly common occurrence, leading to the creation of specific terms to describe it.