line
A long narrow mark
A long, thin mark or band on a surface.
a line on [something]
- She drew a straight line across the page.
- The road was marked with a white line.
- A line of ants marched across the sidewalk.
- Please sign your name on the dotted line.
- Draw a line on the paper.
- There is a red line on the floor.
- I see a black line on the wall.
A queue of people or vehicles
A group of people or cars waiting one after another.
stand in line for [something]
- We stood in line for tickets.
- There was a long line at the supermarket checkout.
- Cars formed a line at the toll booth.
- I wait in line for food.
- There is a long line at the shop.
- People stand in line to buy tickets.
A telephone connection
A connection for talking on the phone.
a phone line to [place]
- The phone line is down after the storm.
- I couldn’t get through; the line was busy.
- They installed a new phone line.
- The phone line is not working.
- The line is busy now.
- We have two phone lines in the office.
A row of things or people
People or things next to each other in a row.
a line of [things/people]
- A line of trees bordered the road.
- The children stood in a straight line.
- There was a line of shops along the street.
- The cars are in a line.
- We stand in a line for the game.
- There is a line of chairs.
A sentence or phrase in dialogue/text
One sentence or phrase from something someone says or writes.
- He forgot his lines during the play.
- That’s my favorite line from the movie.
- She read the first line of the letter aloud.
- I like this line from the book.
- He says a funny line in the film.
- She reads one line from the letter.
A transport route or service
A set path that buses, trains, or other services use again and again.
- The red subway line runs through downtown.
- They extended the bus line to the airport.
- That shipping company operates several lines across the Atlantic.
- I take the blue train line to work.
- The bus line stops here.
- This ship line goes to Japan.
Length of cord, rope, or wire
A long piece of rope, string, wire, etc., used for special jobs.
- He cast his fishing line into the river.
- Hang the clothes on the line to dry.
- The rescue team threw him a safety line.
- I have a fishing line.
- We put clothes on the line.
- He uses a rope as a safety line.
Cover inner surface with material/coating
To put something inside another thing to cover it.
line [something] with [material]
- Line the baking tray with parchment paper.
- The box was lined with silk.
- They lined the coat with warm fleece.
- Line the pan with paper.
- The bag is lined with cloth.
- She lines her jacket with soft fabric.
- Base: line
- Plural: line, lines
- Base: line
- 3rd Person Singular: lines
- Present Participle: lining
- Past: lined
draw the line at
1Refuse to go beyond limit/accept something unacceptable
To say that you will not do something because it is too much or wrong for you.
- I don’t mind helping, but I draw the line at doing your homework for you.
- We have to draw the line at dangerous behavior.
in line with
1Matching or agreeing with something else
Similar to or matching something else in idea, rule, or level.
- His pay rise is in line with company policy.
- The results are in line with our expectations.
on the front lines
1In most active/risky position during conflict/crisis situation
In the most active and dangerous position during a fight, war, or big problem.
- Nurses are on the front lines of patient care during outbreaks.
- Nurses are on the front lines of patient care.
- Soldiers on the front lines faced heavy fire.
read between the lines
1Find hidden meaning in text/speech
To understand a hidden meaning in what someone writes or says.
- If you read between the lines, you can tell she’s unhappy.
- Reading between the lines, I think they’re planning to move.
read between the lines
1Infer hidden meaning
To understand what someone really means, even if they do not say it clearly.
- If you read between the lines, his email is actually a complaint.
- Reading between the lines, I don't think they want to hire more staff.
- The report sounds positive, but investors read between the lines and became worried.
read between the lines
2Understand hidden meaning not stated directly
To understand what someone really means even if they don't say it directly.
- If you read between the lines, you can tell she’s upset.
- Reading between the lines, his letter sounds like he’s not happy here.