What does "leaving a message" mean?

[Robert]

Business English Courses, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #42 "Basic Business English", question 8

Please ......... a message on the answering machine.

(a) make
(b) do
(c) leave
(d) report

Business English Courses, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #42 "Basic Business English", answer 8

Please leave a message on the answering machine.

Correct answer: (c) leave

Your answer was: incorrect
Please make a message on the answering machine.
_________________________

why do you use leave a mesage

[Mister Micawber]

.
That is the standard expression. We leave a message on an answering machine, just as we would leave a note on the kitchen table, for the recipient to find later.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber