1line 
/ˈlaɪn/ noun
plural lines /ˈlaɪn/ noun 1 [count] a : a long narrow mark on a surface
▪ I drew a straight line down the page to separate the two lists. ▪ a curved line ▪ Cut the paper along the dotted line. ▪ a horizontal/vertical/diagonal line
b : a mark on the ground that shows the edge of the playing area in a sport
▪ a tennis serve that was over the line — see also finish line, foul line, goal line, starting line 2 [count] : an area or border that separates two places
▪ property lines ▪ After three hours on the road, they finally crossed the state line. ▪ the town line — often used figuratively ▪ They have overstepped the line of good taste. [=they have shown poor taste in their actions] ▪ The community is divided along racial lines. [=people of different races do not like or agree with each other] ▪ Their behavior has crossed the line. [=their behavior goes beyond what is acceptable] ▪ There's sometimes only a very fine line [=a very small difference] between genius and madness. — see also borderline, dividing line, international date line, poverty line 3 [count] a : a group of people or things that are next to each other in a row
▪ The soldiers formed a line. = The soldiers got into a line. ▪ Their yards were separated by a line of trees.
b US : a group of people, vehicles, etc., that are in front of and behind each other in a row while they wait to move forward
▪ The line [=(chiefly Brit) queue] of fans moved slowly toward the box office. ▪ Everybody had to get in line and wait their turn. ▪ The people were waiting/standing in line. ◊In most areas of the U.S., it is usual to say that people are (waiting/standing) in line for something.
▪ We waited in line for more than an hour to get tickets. In some areas, especially in and near New York City, on line is used instead. ▪ We waited on line for more than an hour. 4 [count] : the outline of a figure, body, or surface — often plural ▪ the car's sleek lines ▪ the lines of a coat ▪ a dress with figure-hugging lines 5 [count] : a long and thin rope, string, etc.
▪ a fishing line ▪ We hung the wet clothes on the line. [=clothesline] 6 [count] a : a pipe for carrying something (such as steam, water, or oil)
▪ There was a break in the water line. — see also pipeline
b : a wire or set of wires that carries electricity or a telephone signal
▪ During the storm, several power lines were knocked down. ▪ a telephone line 7 [count] : a telephone connection
▪ I'm sorry, the line is busy/engaged. ▪ The line suddenly went dead. ▪ All of our lines are currently busy. Please hold. ▪ There's a call for you on line 2. ▪ Please hold the line. [=please do not hang up the phone] ▪ Mr. Smith is on the line. [=Mr. Smith has called and is waiting to speak with you on the telephone] ▪ The supervisor got on the line [=got on the phone] and explained the problem. ▪ I wasn't able to get him on the line. 8 a [count] : a row of words, letters, numbers, or symbols written across a page
▪ To save space, we'll cut out the last few lines of the article. ▪ a line of poetry ▪ making adjustments to line spacing [=to the amount of space between lines] ; also : a space on a page where such a line could be placed
▪ a blank line
b lines [plural] : the words that an actor speaks in a play, movie, etc.
▪ All of the actors should have their lines memorized by next Friday. ▪ She fluffed some of her lines but delivered others well.
c [count] : a short note or message
▪ Drop me a line [=send me a brief message] while you're away.
d [count] : a spoken or written comment
▪ He always comes up with a funny/clever line to help people relax when the situation is tense. ▪ 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. ▪ a salesman with a smooth line [=a smooth way of talking] ▪ (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] 9 [count] : a wrinkle on a person's skin
▪ the deep lines on his face ▪ I noticed the fine lines around her eyes when she smiled. ▪ a worry line [=a wrinkle on a person's face caused by worrying] 10 [count] : the path along which something moves or is directed
▪ a bullet's line of flight ▪ Some civilians got caught in the line of fire. [=they were in the place where bullets were being shot] ▪ She was standing right in my line of sight/vision. [=she was standing right where I was looking] 11 [count] : a railroad track
▪ The train was stopped because a tree had fallen across the line. 12 [count] : production line
▪ They had to shut down the line when one of the machines broke down. 13 a [singular] : a series of similar things
▪ This is just the latest in a long line of problems.
b [count] : the people in a family : the series of people who are born in a family as years pass
▪ She comes from a long line of farmers. [=there have been many farmers in her family in the past] ▪ He claims that he is descended from a royal line. 14 [count] a : a way of behaving, thinking, etc.
▪ He took a firm line with his son. [=he treated his son in a firm way] ▪ I don't follow your line of reasoning. [=I don't understand the reasoning behind what you are saying] ▪ The police are pursuing a new line of inquiry/investigation. ▪ Our current method isn't working. We need to try a different line of attack. — see also hard line
b : an official or public position or opinion
▪ 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] 15 [count] : an area of activity or interest
▪ She got a job in the retail line. ▪ That kind of thing isn't really in my line. [=that kind of thing doesn't really interest me] ▪ He's in a dangerous line of work. [=he has a dangerous job] ▪ I don't know what line of business she's in. ▪ a soldier/policeman/fireman who was killed in the line of duty [=was killed while doing his job] 16 [count] : the position of military forces who are facing the enemy
▪ The enemy soldiers broke through the line. ▪ a secret mission behind enemy lines [=a secret mission in an area controlled by the enemy] — see also front line 17 [count] : a group of related products that are sold by one company
▪ a line of clothing = a clothing line ▪ The company is coming out with a new product line. 18 [count] a : a system used for moving people or things from one place to another
▪ a bus line ▪ a steamship line ▪ military supply lines ; also : a company that owns or controls such a system
▪ He owns a trucking line. — see also airline
b : a system that allows people to share information
▪ We need to keep the lines of communication open. 19 lines [plural] — used in phrases like along the lines of to refer to something that is similar or close to the thing being mentioned ▪ We need something along the lines of a small cart. = We need a small cart or something along those/similar lines. [=we need a small cart or something like that] ▪ He said he was too busy to help, or something along those lines. 20 [count] American football a : line of scrimmage
b : the players who are positioned on the line of scrimmage
▪ the defensive/offensive line 21 [count] : 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
▪ a line of cocaine
▪ I drew a straight line down the page to separate the two lists. ▪ a curved line ▪ Cut the paper along the dotted line. ▪ a horizontal/vertical/diagonal line
b : a mark on the ground that shows the edge of the playing area in a sport
▪ a tennis serve that was over the line — see also finish line, foul line, goal line, starting line
▪ property lines ▪ After three hours on the road, they finally crossed the state line. ▪ the town line — often used figuratively ▪ They have overstepped the line of good taste. [=they have shown poor taste in their actions] ▪ The community is divided along racial lines. [=people of different races do not like or agree with each other] ▪ Their behavior has crossed the line. [=their behavior goes beyond what is acceptable] ▪ There's sometimes only a very fine line [=a very small difference] between genius and madness. — see also borderline, dividing line, international date line, poverty line
▪ The soldiers formed a line. = The soldiers got into a line. ▪ Their yards were separated by a line of trees.
b US : a group of people, vehicles, etc., that are in front of and behind each other in a row while they wait to move forward
▪ The line [=(chiefly Brit) queue] of fans moved slowly toward the box office. ▪ Everybody had to get in line and wait their turn. ▪ The people were waiting/standing in line. ◊In most areas of the U.S., it is usual to say that people are (waiting/standing) in line for something.
▪ We waited in line for more than an hour to get tickets. In some areas, especially in and near New York City, on line is used instead. ▪ We waited on line for more than an hour.
▪ a fishing line ▪ We hung the wet clothes on the line. [=clothesline]
▪ There was a break in the water line. — see also pipeline
b : a wire or set of wires that carries electricity or a telephone signal
▪ During the storm, several power lines were knocked down. ▪ a telephone line
▪ I'm sorry, the line is busy/engaged. ▪ The line suddenly went dead. ▪ All of our lines are currently busy. Please hold. ▪ There's a call for you on line 2. ▪ Please hold the line. [=please do not hang up the phone] ▪ Mr. Smith is on the line. [=Mr. Smith has called and is waiting to speak with you on the telephone] ▪ The supervisor got on the line [=got on the phone] and explained the problem. ▪ I wasn't able to get him on the line.
▪ To save space, we'll cut out the last few lines of the article. ▪ a line of poetry ▪ making adjustments to line spacing [=to the amount of space between lines] ; also : a space on a page where such a line could be placed
▪ a blank line
b lines [plural] : the words that an actor speaks in a play, movie, etc.
▪ All of the actors should have their lines memorized by next Friday. ▪ She fluffed some of her lines but delivered others well.
c [count] : a short note or message
▪ Drop me a line [=send me a brief message] while you're away.
d [count] : a spoken or written comment
▪ He always comes up with a funny/clever line to help people relax when the situation is tense. ▪ 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. ▪ a salesman with a smooth line [=a smooth way of talking] ▪ (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]
▪ the deep lines on his face ▪ I noticed the fine lines around her eyes when she smiled. ▪ a worry line [=a wrinkle on a person's face caused by worrying]
▪ a bullet's line of flight ▪ Some civilians got caught in the line of fire. [=they were in the place where bullets were being shot] ▪ She was standing right in my line of sight/vision. [=she was standing right where I was looking]
▪ The train was stopped because a tree had fallen across the line.
▪ They had to shut down the line when one of the machines broke down.
▪ This is just the latest in a long line of problems.
b [count] : the people in a family : the series of people who are born in a family as years pass
▪ She comes from a long line of farmers. [=there have been many farmers in her family in the past] ▪ He claims that he is descended from a royal line.
▪ He took a firm line with his son. [=he treated his son in a firm way] ▪ I don't follow your line of reasoning. [=I don't understand the reasoning behind what you are saying] ▪ The police are pursuing a new line of inquiry/investigation. ▪ Our current method isn't working. We need to try a different line of attack. — see also hard line
b : an official or public position or opinion
▪ 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]
▪ She got a job in the retail line. ▪ That kind of thing isn't really in my line. [=that kind of thing doesn't really interest me] ▪ He's in a dangerous line of work. [=he has a dangerous job] ▪ I don't know what line of business she's in. ▪ a soldier/policeman/fireman who was killed in the line of duty [=was killed while doing his job]
▪ The enemy soldiers broke through the line. ▪ a secret mission behind enemy lines [=a secret mission in an area controlled by the enemy] — see also front line
▪ a line of clothing = a clothing line ▪ The company is coming out with a new product line.
▪ a bus line ▪ a steamship line ▪ military supply lines ; also : a company that owns or controls such a system
▪ He owns a trucking line. — see also airline
b : a system that allows people to share information
▪ We need to keep the lines of communication open.
b : the players who are positioned on the line of scrimmage
▪ the defensive/offensive line
▪ a line of cocaine
along the line
informal : during a process or series of events
▪ He seems to have lost his interest in music somewhere along the line. [=at some time in the past]
▪ He seems to have lost his interest in music somewhere along the line. [=at some time in the past]
cross the line — see 2cross
down the line
informal : in the future
▪ If you don't finish school, you'll regret it down the line. ▪ We'll have to correct these problems further down the line.
▪ If you don't finish school, you'll regret it down the line. ▪ We'll have to correct these problems further down the line.
draw a/the line 1 : to see or understand the difference between things
▪ Where do you draw the line between what is good and bad art? ▪ It is sometimes hard to draw a line between right and wrong. 2 : to refuse to do or allow something : to set a limit — usually + at ▪ We couldn't invite everyone so we drew the line at immediate family members only. ▪ He helps me out a lot but draws the line at cleaning the bathroom.
▪ Where do you draw the line between what is good and bad art? ▪ It is sometimes hard to draw a line between right and wrong.
fall in/into line — see 1fall
get/have a line on
US, informal : to get or have information about (someone or something that you are trying to find)
▪ Have the police managed to get a line on any of the suspects? ▪ She says she has a line on a new car.
▪ Have the police managed to get a line on any of the suspects? ▪ She says she has a line on a new car.
hold the line
: to not allow any more changes or increases — usually + against or on ▪ We need to hold the line against further expansion into our territory. ▪ The President has vowed to hold the line on tax increases. [=to not allow further tax increases] — see also 1line 7 (above)
hook, line, and sinker — see 1hook
in line 1 — used to say that someone should get something or is likely to get something ▪ He's in line for a promotion. = He's in line to get a promotion. [=he is going to be given a promotion] 2 — used to refer to a person or thing that follows or could follow another person or thing ▪ The Vice President is first in line to succeed the President. 3 : doing what other people want or expect : in a state of agreement or cooperation
▪ He says he'll cooperate, but I don't know how much longer we can keep him in line. — see also 1line 3b (above)
▪ He says he'll cooperate, but I don't know how much longer we can keep him in line. — see also 1line 3b (above)
in line with
: in agreement with
▪ The new policy is in line with the plans that were discussed last year. ▪ My thinking is in line with yours. [=my thinking agrees with yours] ▪ The red one is more in line with what I had in mind. [=is more like what I had in mind]
▪ The new policy is in line with the plans that were discussed last year. ▪ My thinking is in line with yours. [=my thinking agrees with yours] ▪ The red one is more in line with what I had in mind. [=is more like what I had in mind]
into line
: into a state of agreement or cooperation
▪ It was difficult to get/bring everyone into line. [=to get everyone to agree]
▪ It was difficult to get/bring everyone into line. [=to get everyone to agree]
lay it on the line
informal : to speak very honestly and directly to someone
▪ Let me lay it on the line (to/for you): if your work doesn't improve, you'll be fired.
▪ Let me lay it on the line (to/for you): if your work doesn't improve, you'll be fired.
on line
: in or into operation
▪ 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] — see also 1line 3b (above), online
▪ 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] — see also 1line 3b (above), online
on the line
: in danger of being lost or harmed : at risk
▪ 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] ▪ The champ's title is on the line in this fight. [=he will lose the title if he loses the fight] ▪ He put/laid his life on the line [=he risked his life] for his family.
▪ 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] ▪ The champ's title is on the line in this fight. [=he will lose the title if he loses the fight] ▪ He put/laid his life on the line [=he risked his life] for his family.
out of line
informal : beyond what is reasonable or allowable : not right or appropriate
▪ Your behavior is out of line. ▪ These prices are way out of line with what other stores are charging. ▪ I can't believe that guy was so rude to you! He was really/way out of line. — see also step out of line at 2step
▪ Your behavior is out of line. ▪ These prices are way out of line with what other stores are charging. ▪ I can't believe that guy was so rude to you! He was really/way out of line. — see also step out of line at 2step
read between the lines — see 1read
take/follow the line of least resistance — see resistance
the end of the line — see 1end
toe the line — see 2toe
— see also bottom line, story line
