Language Focus 5: Useful vocabulary and phrases

The dialog contains many phrases that can be useful when talking on the telephone with strangers or customers.

How can I help you?
Certainly, hold on a minute.
I'll put you through... (Am.E = I’ll connect you.)
I’m sorry. ________’s not in his office today/at the moment.
Can I take a message?
Could you repeat the number/name please?
I'll make sure ________ gets this asap.

precious adj. = very valuable/worth a lot
nuisance n. = inconvenient
hang on to = keep
sell like hot cakes = sell very quickly
proforma invoice = invoice for goods not sold yet
duty n. = tax
14 business days = about three weeks (Monday to Friday)
put a rush on it = speed it up
put s/ting together = assemble all the necessary parts
get back to me = contact me again/reply/respond