When the telephone handset or receiver is on the cradle; the circuit is open (inactive) and cannot communicate information.

Station switchhook contacts open or whatever supervision condition is indicative of the equipment-idle state.

The active state of a customer telephone circuit. The term is derived from old telephone sets where the receiver, when not in use, was placed on a hook attached to a switch. The opposite condition is off-hook.

receiver on its cradle; phone ready to receive a call

A state when the telephone handset is in its cradle, idle state.

A telephone that is resting on its cradle. BX (Private Branch eXchange) A small to medium sized customer premise telephone system that is also a switch (computer) providing communications between onsite telephones and exterior communications networks. PBX systems are connected to the CO with trunks. On a PBX, an outside line is normally accessed by dialing "9."

The status of the handset when it is on the phone.

When a modem goes on-hook, it releases the telephone line to which it is connected, freeing the telephone line for other uses. This action, which is equivalent to hanging up a telephone, terminates the current data connection.

To disconnect from the public switched telephone network.

Telephone set not in use; handset resting in cradle.

The idle condition of Switched Access or a Telephone Exchange Service line.

A line voltage condition caused when the receiver or handset is resting on the hookswitch.  A traditional PBX or local telephone company recognizes this condition as an idle state.

When the phone handset is resting in its cradle. The phone is not connected to any particular line. Only the bell is active-i.e., it will ring if a call comes in.

Deactivated (in reference to a telephone set). A telephone not in use is on-hook. Contrast with off-hook.

In telephony, the condition that exists when an operational telephone, or other user instrument, is not in use.

The status of a telephone that is available to receive a call.

A signaling state in a line or trunk when it is non-working or idle.

The condition of a telephone line that corresponds to hanging up the telephone receiver. A modem creates an on-hook condition to break its connection to a telephone line.

Condition or state of a telephone line when a handset on the line is returned to its cradle (or an equivalent condition occurs). See also hook state.

Disconnected from the switched telephone network. For example, a telephone is considered on-hook when the receiver is hung up. Close Glossary Window

The normal state of the phone in which the handset rests in the cradle and the circuit to the central office conducts no electrical signal.

the action of placing the receiver on the cradle, breaking the connection.

The status of telephone equipment that is ready to receive a call.

A state that results when the telephone receiver is in place. No loop current flows and the switch recognizes that the telephone is available for incoming calls.

The condition when the handset is on the telephone cradle signaling that it is not in use.