line

line1 [ laın ] noun ***

▸ 1 long thin mark

▸ 2 edge showing shape

▸ 3 border/limit

▸ 4 telephone connection

▸ 5 row of people/things

▸ 6 part of railroad system

▸ 7 transportation company

▸ 8 way of thinking/talking

▸ 9 series of words

▸ 10 direction/path

▸ 11 string/rope/wire

▸ 12 area of work/interest

▸ 13 set of products

▸ 14 of communication etc.

▸ 15 musical notes

▸ 16 series of events/people

▸ 17 quantity of drug

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) count a long thin mark on the surface of something:

Draw a second line parallel to the first.

Each horizontal line on the graph represents fifteen minutes.

a ) a long thin mark on the ground used in sports for marking an area in which a game is played, or for showing where a race starts or finishes:

It was hard to tell whether the ball had crossed the line.

the starting line

=> LINE OF SCRIMMAGE

b ) a long thin mark on a road used for organizing traffic and for showing drivers where they can park:

In the fog he drifted across the line into the next lane.

c ) a thin mark on someone's skin that appears especially as they get older: WRINKLE:

There were small lines at the corners of her mouth and around her eyes.

2. ) count an edge that shows the shape of something:

Buyers are attracted by the sleek lines of the car.

3. ) count a border between two regions:

They escaped across the state line into Pennsylvania.

a ) an imaginary limit or border between two situations or conditions:

The country is still divided along ethnic lines.

line between: The program blurs the line between news and entertainment.

a fine/thin line: There is a fine line between resolving the crisis peacefully and giving in to terrorism.

4. ) count a telephone connection:

My daughter now wants her own phone line in her bedroom.

It's a very bad line put the phone down and I'll call you back.

a ) a telephone service:

The advice line is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays.

a chat line

5. ) count a row of people or things:

A line of police stood outside the post office as employees were evacuated.

On the far bank were thick reeds and a line of palm trees.

in a line: She told the children to stay in line and not push.

a ) a row of soldiers, ships, or weapons facing an enemy:

The plane was brought down behind enemy lines.

b ) a row of people who are waiting for something: QUEUE:

stand in line: We stood in line for about an hour to get the tickets.

6. ) count a part of a railroad system:

There are plans to reopen the train line.

a ) the long metal bars on which trains travel:

Train service has been canceled because of repair work on the line.

7. ) count a company that provides a transportation service:

The shipping line is losing money, and the parent company wants to sell it.

8. ) count usually singular a way of thinking, talking, or finding out about something:

line of thought: He impatiently dismissed this line of thought.

line of argument: You also need to develop a persuasive line of argument.

line of inquiry: What are the main lines of inquiry you intend to pursue?

a ) an attitude or belief, especially one that is expressed publicly:

take a tough/firm/hard line: Environmental groups took a very tough line with the industry.

line on: Forsyth appears to have hardened his line on Europe.

9. ) count a series of words written or printed in a row:

a line of text

a ) plural the words that an actor says in a performance:

He forgot his lines.

b ) singular INFORMAL a short written message:

drop someone a line: I told them to give us a call or drop us a line when they got there.

c ) count a clever or funny remark

d ) singular a remark, excuse, or explanation that is not sincere or true:

Don't give me that old line.

10. ) count the direction or path along which someone or something moves or looks:

He was so drunk he couldn't walk in a straight line.

Deep snow is blocking the mountain roads that serve as supply lines for the rebels.

line of fire (=the direction in which weapons are fired): Though there is fighting nearby, the camp is not in the line of fire.

line of vision (=the direction in which someone is looking): I was standing right in his line of vision.

11. ) count a piece of string, rope, or wire used for a particular purpose:

a washing line

Heavy snow brought down power lines.

12. ) singular a type of work or area of interest:

line of business/work: What line of business are you in exactly?

in someone's line: Light novels are more in my line.

13. ) several products forming a set, for example because they are all of the same type or all produced by the same company:

The company is broadening its product lines to attract more buyers.

a new line of perfume

14. ) count the way that communication, authority, or responsibility is shared between people in an organization:

We want to open up lines of communication and provide more information.

The organization's problems were caused by a lack of clear reporting lines.

15. ) count a series of connected musical notes that form a tune:

a bass line

16. ) count a series of connected events:

This is just the latest in a long line of such scandals.

1

a ) a series of connected GENERATIONS in the same family:

Mr. Nelson comes from a long line of carpenters.

17. ) count INFORMAL a quantity of an illegal drug that is arranged into a line before being taken:

a line of cocaine

along/down the line

at a stage during a process:

all along/down the line (=at every stage): Our supporters have been magnificent all along the line.

somewhere along/down the line (=at some stage): Somewhere along the line vital information has been withheld.

further along/down the line (=at a later stage): The judge said compensation would be considered further down the line.

along similar/different/the same etc. lines

in a similar/different etc. way:

We are all working along similar lines.

along the lines of (=similar to): Vienna and Berlin were modernist cities, almost along the lines of Chicago.

be in line for

to be likely to receive something:

Rachel was reported to be in line for the job of manager.

be first/second/next in line: He is next in line for promotion.

bring someone/something into line

to make someone/something similar to another person or thing:

The restructuring of the business has brought output and demand into line.

bring someone/something into line with: The new ruling brings this country into line with the rest of Europe.

come/get/fall into line

to agree with or become similar to someone or something else:

bring someone/something into line with: It didn't take much pressure to make him fall into line with company policy.

get a line on something AMERICAN INFORMAL

to get information about something:

I got a line on this material that we've been looking for.

in/out of line with

1. ) similar to/different from someone or something:

The costs were very much in line with what we expected.

2. ) changing/not changing in the same way as another thing:

Social Security recipients are granted an annual increase in line with the cost of living.

in the line of duty

while working:

The police officer was killed in the line of duty.

lay it on the line INFORMAL

to say something in a direct or honest way, even if this might upset someone

on line

connected to, or able to be connected to, a computer system or the Internet:

It is not impossible that every household will be on line within five years.

=> ONLINE

on the line

1. ) at risk:

His job could be on the line if results do not improve.

2. ) on the telephone:

We have a caller on the line from California.

out of line

behaving in a way that other people do not approve of:

That comment was way out of line.

line

line 2 [ laın ] verb transitive **

1. ) to cover the inside of something, especially a piece of clothing or a container, with a layer of something else:

He wore a black coat lined with dark gray silk.

line something with something: Line the baking sheet with greased aluminum foil.

a ) to form a layer on the inside surface of something

2. ) to form rows along the sides of something:

Crowds lined the streets to watch the parade.

The riverside will be transformed into a promenade lined with cafés and restaurants.

line your pockets

to obtain money, especially by acting dishonestly:

He accused executives of trying to line their own pockets.

,line `up phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive to form a row or to put people or things in a row:

The books are lined up on a shelf above the desk.

All children must line up when the whistle goes.

2. ) transitive to organize or prepare things for an event or series of events:

We have a series of activities lined up to keep you entertained.