Learn English – Put through vs get through ( on the phone )

word-choiceword-usage

I'd like to ask if I can :

Can you get me through to the accounts department, please?

in order to mean

Can you put me through to the accounts department, please?

The lines were so busy but at last I managed to put through to one of
the consumer service workers.

in order to mean

The lines were so busy but at last I managed to get through to one of
the consumer service workers.

Best Answer

The usual way of asking for assistance over the phone is

Could I speak to someone in accounts please.
I'd like to speak to someone in accounts please.
Accounts please.
I have a question about my account.

Being put through on a call is hold over from the days when there were central operators whom one had to speak to to make a connection, but the phrase can still be used today.

The lines were so busy, but finally I was able to get through to customer service.
The lines were so busy, but finally I was able to get someone in customer service.

The caller is not the one putting through the connection, but is the one who gets the connection.

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