combine your answer with the answer by @Jim , we'd get "cradling the phone in the crook of our neck", which is pretty much how Link #2 words it. No matter how you say it, perhaps it's time to buy a Rest-a-Phone :^) (Note how the professionals at Super Rest-a-Phone call it wedging the phone between the ear and shoulder). -- J.R. Sep 29 at 23:18 @J.R.- Although I tend to think their word choice may be biased, after all they don't want to evoke nice images of babies peacefully sleeping in their cradles, they want to evoke uncomfortable images of things being wedged into place. -- Jim Sep 30 at 3:24 @Jim: that's a good point. I had only meant to illustrate that there's probably no single way to describe this position (I had no problem with the O.P.'s nestled or balanced , either). But you're analysis is excellent --  I hadn't thought about the marketing aspect of wedge vs cradle . -- J.R. Sep 30 at 8:42 Yeah, cradling or just holding I suppose. Although I must admit with cradling I visualise holding something in the arms. -- Lee Kowalkowski Sep 30 at 11:05 A simpler way to say it would be: "She held/put/balanced the phone on her shoulder." In particular, you can get away with not mentioning the ear at all, since usage of the phone automatically implies ear proximity. If you are describing specifically the act of switching from holding the phone in one's hand to