Line | Mean of line in English Dictionary

/ˈlaɪn/

• Noun
• a long narrow mark on a surface
1. I drew a straight line down the page to separate the two lists.
2. a curved line
3. Cut the paper along the dotted line.
4. a horizontal/vertical/diagonal line
• a mark on the ground that shows the edge of the playing area in a sport
1. a tennis serve that was over the line
• an area or border that separates two places
1. property lines
2. After three hours on the road, they finally crossed the state line.
3. the town line
4. They have overstepped the line of good taste. [=they have shown poor taste in their actions]
5. The community is divided along racial lines. [=people of different races do not like or agree with each other]
6. Their behavior has crossed the line. [=their behavior goes beyond what is acceptable]
7. There's sometimes only a very fine line [=a very small difference] between genius and madness.

• a group of people or things that are next to each other in a row
1. The soldiers formed a line. = The soldiers got into a line.
2. Their yards were separated by a line of trees.
• a group of people, vehicles, etc., that are in front of and behind each other in a row while they wait to move forward
1. The line [=(chiefly Brit) queue] of fans moved slowly toward the box office.
2. Everybody had to get in line and wait their turn.
3. The people were waiting/standing in line.
4. We waited in line for more than an hour to get tickets.
5. We waited on line for more than an hour.
• the outline of a figure, body, or surface
1. the car's sleek lines
2. the lines of a coat
3. a dress with figure-hugging lines
• a long and thin rope, string, etc.
1. a fishing line
2. We hung the wet clothes on the line. [=clothesline]
• a pipe for carrying something (such as steam, water, or oil)
1. There was a break in the water line.
• a wire or set of wires that carries electricity or a telephone signal
1. During the storm, several power lines were knocked down.
2. a telephone line
• a telephone connection
1. I'm sorry, the line is busy/engaged.
2. The line suddenly went dead.
3. All of our lines are currently busy. Please hold.
4. There's a call for you on line 2.
5. Please hold the line. [=please do not hang up the phone]
6. Mr. Smith is on the line. [=Mr. Smith has called and is waiting to speak with you on the telephone]
7. The supervisor got on the line [=got on the phone] and explained the problem.
8. I wasn't able to get him on the line.
• a row of words, letters, numbers, or symbols written across a page
1. To save space, we'll cut out the last few lines of the article.
2. a line of poetry
3. making adjustments to line spacing [=to the amount of space between lines]
• a space on a page where such a line could be placed
1. a blank line
• the words that an actor speaks in a play, movie, etc.
1. All of the actors should have their lines memorized by next Friday.
2. She fluffed some of her lines but delivered others well.
• a short note or message
1. Drop me a line [=send me a brief message] while you're away.
• a spoken or written comment
1. He always comes up with a funny/clever line to help people relax when the situation is tense.
2. He didn't really answer my question—he just handed/gave me some line about how hard it can be to deal with these issues.
3. a salesman with a smooth line [=a smooth way of talking]
4. (US) a guy with a clever pickup line = (Brit) a guy with a clever chat-up line [=a comment made by a man to start a conversation with a woman he is attracted to]
• a wrinkle on a person's skin
1. the deep lines on his face
2. I noticed the fine lines around her eyes when she smiled.
3. a worry line [=a wrinkle on a person's face caused by worrying]
• the path along which something moves or is directed
1. a bullet's line of flight
2. Some civilians got caught in the line of fire. [=they were in the place where bullets were being shot]
3. She was standing right in my line of sight/vision. [=she was standing right where I was looking]
• a railroad track
1. The train was stopped because a tree had fallen across the line.
• a series of similar things
1. This is just the latest in a long line of problems.
• the people in a family
1. She comes from a long line of farmers. [=there have been many farmers in her family in the past]
2. He claims that he is descended from a royal line.
• a way of behaving, thinking, etc.
1. He took a firm line with his son. [=he treated his son in a firm way]
2. I don't follow your line of reasoning. [=I don't understand the reasoning behind what you are saying]
3. The police are pursuing a new line of inquiry/investigation.
4. Our current method isn't working. We need to try a different line of attack.
• an official or public position or opinion
1. He is a politician who has always adhered closely to the party line on just about everything. [=who has always supported the position taken by his political party]
• an area of activity or interest
1. She got a job in the retail line.
2. That kind of thing isn't really in my line. [=that kind of thing doesn't really interest me]
3. He's in a dangerous line of work. [=he has a dangerous job]
4. I don't know what line of business she's in.
5. a soldier/policeman/fireman who was killed in the line of duty [=was killed while doing his job]
• the position of military forces who are facing the enemy
1. The enemy soldiers broke through the line.
2. a secret mission behind enemy lines [=a secret mission in an area controlled by the enemy]
• a group of related products that are sold by one company
1. a line of clothing = a clothing line
2. The company is coming out with a new product line.
• a system used for moving people or things from one place to another
1. a bus line
2. a steamship line
3. military supply lines
• a company that owns or controls such a system
1. He owns a trucking line.
• a system that allows people to share information
1. We need to keep the lines of communication open.
• the players who are positioned on the line of scrimmage
1. the defensive/offensive line
• an amount of an illegal drug (such as cocaine) that is arranged in a thin line so that it can be breathed into the nose through a straw
1. a line of cocaine
• during a process or series of events
1. He seems to have lost his interest in music somewhere along the line. [=at some time in the past]
• in the future
1. If you don't finish school, you'll regret it down the line.
2. We'll have to correct these problems further down the line.
• to see or understand the difference between things
1. Where do you draw the line between what is good and bad art?
2. It is sometimes hard to draw a line between right and wrong.
• to refuse to do or allow something
1. We couldn't invite everyone so we drew the line at immediate family members only.
2. He helps me out a lot but draws the line at cleaning the bathroom.
• to get or have information about (someone or something that you are trying to find)
1. Have the police managed to get a line on any of the suspects?
2. She says she has a line on a new car.
• to not allow any more changes or increases
1. We need to hold the line against further expansion into our territory.
2. The President has vowed to hold the line on tax increases. [=to not allow further tax increases]
• doing what other people want or expect
1. He says he'll cooperate, but I don't know how much longer we can keep him in line.
• in agreement with
1. The new policy is in line with the plans that were discussed last year.
2. My thinking is in line with yours. [=my thinking agrees with yours]
3. The red one is more in line with what I had in mind. [=is more like what I had in mind]
• into a state of agreement or cooperation
1. It was difficult to get/bring everyone into line. [=to get everyone to agree]
• to speak very honestly and directly to someone
1. Let me lay it on the line (to/for you): if your work doesn't improve, you'll be fired.
• in or into operation
1. The new system will be coming on line next month. = The new system will be brought on line next month. [=the new system will begin working next month]
• in danger of being lost or harmed
1. I have to finish this report by tomorrow. My job is on the line. [=I will lose my job if I don't finish this report by tomorrow]
2. The champ's title is on the line in this fight. [=he will lose the title if he loses the fight]
3. He put/laid his life on the line [=he risked his life] for his family.
• beyond what is reasonable or allowable
1. Your behavior is out of line.
2. These prices are way out of line with what other stores are charging.
3. I can't believe that guy was so rude to you! He was really/way out of line.
• Verb
• to place or form a line along (something, such as a hallway, building, or street)
1. Students lined the hall, waiting to register for classes.
2. Shops line the street. = The street is lined with shops. [=there is a line of shops along the street]
3. a street lined with trees = a tree-lined street
• to hit a line drive
1. He lined to center field.
2. He lined out to the shortstop. [=he hit a line drive that was caught by the shortstop for an out]
3. She lined a single to left field. [=she hit a line drive into left field for a single]
• to form a line
1. The soldiers lined up for inspection.
2. (US) People lined up [=(chiefly Brit) queued up] at the theater waiting to buy tickets.
• to put (people or things) into a line
1. The teacher lined up the children.
2. The soldiers were lined up for inspection.
3. The storekeeper carefully lined up the cans on the shelf.
4. (US) People were lined up [=(chiefly Brit) queued up] at the theater waiting to buy tickets.
• to place (things) so that their edges form a straight line
1. line up (the edges of) two pieces of paper
• to succeed in getting (something)
1. He has been trying to line up support for his proposal.
2. She managed to line up a summer job.
• to cover the inner surface of (something)
1. I lined the box with paper.
2. Tapestries lined the walls.
3. Her gloves were lined with fur.
4. Books lined the walls of the study. = The study was lined with books.
• to take or get a lot of money by doing something illegal or dishonest
1. corrupt officials who have been lining their pockets at the public's expense [=have been stealing public money]