line
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++line1 /laɪn/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 1 on paper/on the ground 在纸上/在地上 [countable]LINE a long thin mark on a piece of paper, the ground, or another surface 线，线条 Draw a straight line across the top of the page. 在这一页的上方画一条直线。 Sign your name on the dotted line (=line made up of a series of dots). 在虚线上签名。 The edges of the pitch are marked by white lines. 球场的四边画着白线。 The goalkeeper just managed to stop the ball going over the line. 守门员刚好把球截住，没有让它越过球门线。 He raced towards the finishing line. 他朝终点线冲刺。2 between two areas 在两个区域之间 [countable]LINE an imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, for example showing where one country or area of land stops and another begins 〔地球上边界线等设想的〕线county/state line American English He was born in a small town just across the state line. 他的出生地正好位于州界线另一头的一个小镇。line of latitude/longitude They were still travelling along the same line of longitude. 他们依旧在同一条经线上飞行。► see thesaurus at border → International Date Line3 of people/things 人/物的 [countable] a) LINEa row of people or things next to each other 排，列，行line of There was a line of fir trees on either side of the road. 道路两旁枞树林立。 The four men were standing in a line on the other side of the table. 那四个男人在桌子的另一边站成一排。 A couple of the posts were out of line (=not in a straight row). 有几根柱子没有排成一条直线。 b) LINE especially American English a row of people, cars etc that are waiting one behind the other 〔人、汽车等在等候时排的〕队，队伍 SYN British English queue I looked in despair at the long line in front of the ticket office. 我绝望地看着售票处前面的长队。line of I joined the line of vehicles waiting to get into the car park. 我排进车辆的队伍，等着进停车场。stand/wait in line Customers stood in line for 20 minutes at the cash register. 顾客在收银机前排了20分钟的队。 He tried to cut in line (=go in front of other people who are waiting). 他试图插队。 The woman next in line began to mutter to herself. 排在后面的那个女人开始嘀嘀咕咕地自言自语。4 direction 方向 [countable]DIRECTION the direction or imaginary line along which something travels between two places 行进的方向；路线 Light travels in a straight line. 光沿直线传播。 A boat came into my line of vision (=the direction I was looking in). 一艘船进入了我的视线。line of fire/attack/movement etc (=the direction in which someone shoots, attacks, moves etc) 射击/攻击/行动等的方向 I was directly in the animal’s line of attack. 我正好处于那动物的攻击方向。 They knew they needed to block their enemy’s supply lines (=the direction used for carrying supplies of food etc). 他们知道必须封锁敌人的补给线。5 on your face 在脸上 [countable]LINE a line on the skin of someone’s face 皱纹 → wrinkle She frowned, and deep lines appeared between her eyebrows. 她皱起眉头，眉心出现深深的皱纹。 There were fine lines around her eyes. 她眼睛周围有细纹。 No one can avoid lines and wrinkles as they get older. 人年纪大了免不了长皱纹。6 phone 电话 [countable]TCT a telephone wire or connection 电话线(路)7 for trains 供火车使用 [countable]TTT a track that a train travels along 铁路线，铁道，铁轨8 between two types of thing 在两类事物之间 [countable usually singular] the point at which one type of thing can be considered to be something else or at which it becomes a particular thing 〔事物的〕分界线9 shape/edge 轮廓/边缘 [countable usually plural]SHAPE the outer shape of something long or tall 〔长或高的物件的〕线条，轮廓，外形10 words 词语 [countable]11 opinion/attitude 看法/态度OPINION [singular] an opinion or attitude, especially one that someone states publicly and that influences their actions 〔尤指公开表明并影响本人行为的〕态度，方针，路线12 way of doing STH 做某事的方式WAY/MANNER [countable] a particular way of doing something or of thinking about something 方式，方法13 series of events 一系列事件 [countable usually singular] a series of events that follow each other 一连串事情14 in a war 在战争中 [countable]PM the edge of an area that is controlled by an army, where soldiers stay and try to prevent their enemy from moving forward 防线，战线15 in a company/organization 在公司/组织里 [countable] a series of levels of authority within an organization 各级人员16 of rope/wire 绳子/电线的 [countable]DHC a piece of strong string, rope, or wire used for a particular purpose 〔作某用途的〕一段绳子[电线等]17 product 产品 [countable]BBT a type of goods for sale in a shop 〔商店货品的〕种类，类型18 along these/those lines (also along the lines of something) similar to something else 这一类的，类似的19 along religious/ethnic/party etc lines if people divide along religious, party etc lines, they divide according to the religion, political party, or other group they belong to 按照宗教/民族/党派等(划分)20 on line 21 drop somebody a line informalWRITE to write a short letter or email to someone 给某人写短信[电子邮件]22 don’t give me that line spoken used to say that you do not believe someone’s excuse 别跟我来那一套〔表示不相信对方的借口〕23 fall into line/bring somebody into line informalOBEY to start to do what someone else wants you to do, or to make someone do this 取得一致/使某人行动一致24 in line with something SAMEif something changes in line with something else, it changes in the same way and at the same rate as it 与某事物一致，按照某事物25 bring something into line with something SAMEto change a system so that it works according to a particular set of rules, laws etc 使某事物与某事物一致26 be out of line informal27 be in line for something/be in line to do something PROBABLYto be very likely to get or be given something 很有可能获得某物/做某事28 be first/second/next etc in line to the throne to be the person who has a right to become a future king or queen 是王位的第一/第二/下一位等继承人29 be on the line if something important is on the line, there is a risk that you might lose it or something bad could happen to it 有失去的可能；处在危险中30 be in somebody’s line informalINTERESTED to be the type of thing that someone is interested in or good at 是某人感兴趣的事；是某人的专长31 get a line on somebody/something especially American English informal to get information about someone or something 获得有关某人/某事的消息32 somewhere along the line informalDURING at some time during an activity or period of time 在某活动[时期]中的某段时间；某个时刻33 down the line informal later, after an activity or situation has been continuing for a period of time 往后，以后34 in the line of duty JOB/WORKhappening or done as part of your job 在工作期间发生；在执行任务时35 be in the firing line/in the line of fire 36 PUNISHMENT 处罚lines [plural] British EnglishSESPUNISH a punishment given to school children that consists of writing the same thing a lot of times 罚抄写〔对学童的处罚〕37 family 家族 [singular]FAMILY your family, considered as the people you are related to who lived before you and the people who will live after you 世系，家族38 job 工作 [countable usually singular]JOB/WORK the type of work someone does 专业，行业39 transport 交通 [countable]TT a company that provides transport for moving goods by sea, air, road etc 运输公司40. drug 毒品 [countable] informalMDD an amount of an illegal drug in powder form, arranged in a line so it can be breathed in through the nose 〔粉末状毒品在吸食前排成的〕一条，一行 → draw the line at at draw1(16), → draw a line (between something) at draw1(15), → where do you draw the line? at draw1(17), → draw a line under something at draw1(18), → hard line at hard1(21), → hook, line and sinker at hook1(9), → lay something on the line at lay2(18), → picket line, → the poverty line/level at poverty(2), → read between the lines at read1(14)n THESAURUSon the ground/on the surface of somethingline a long thin mark on a piece of paper, the ground, or another surfaceThe teacher put a red line through the first sentence.If the ball goes over the line, it’s out of play.groove a thin line that has been cut into a surfaceDeep grooves had been cut into the stone to channel the water.Lyle ran his fingernail along the groove in the table.rut a deep line in the ground which has been made by the wheels of vehiclesThe deep ruts made by the trucks were full of water.The tractor’s wheels caught a rut in the field and jolted him.crease/wrinkle a line on clothes, material, or paper where it has been folded or crushedShe was trying to smooth out the creases in her dress.She had wrinkles in her skirt where she had sat.on someone’s faceline a line on the skin of someone’s faceThe deep lines on his forehead showed that he was a worried man.wrinkle a deep line on someone’s face caused by becoming oldThe manufacturers claim that the cream will reduce wrinkles.Even with a few wrinkles, she still looks great.
Examples from the Corpus
line• lines of longitude• Mike drew a line along the wall to show where the tiles would come up to.• Maisie had arranged her teddy bears in a line on the bed.• In front of the house there is a line of tall trees.• Start reading at line 12.• The deep lines on his forehead showed that he was a worried man.• the car's smooth elegant lines• a few lines of poetry• Martin opened the letter and read the first few lines - it was bad news.• He followed in his own limousine - then drove the Panhard a few hundred yards to the finishing line.• I'm getting little lines around my eyes.• After 30 years on the stage, I still forget my lines.• a new line of clothes for winter• a railroad line• The second line, to be ready in July, will allow traffic to be rerouted in case of another interruption.• a shipping line• a straight line• A train had broken down further along the line.• The 38th parallel is the line that divides North and South Korea.• And I remember looking back, and at the very end of the line was the calf, following us.• Their tunnel starts in our part of the line.• She, good girl, slid over the bow and into the shallows with the line.• If the ball goes over this line, it's out of play.• Read the first two lines of the poem.• Luckily by then we had enough material - together with a few more worry lines.• Monica got a fine yesterday for parking on a yellow line.straight line• As long as he moved in a straight line at a uniform speed, he felt a wonderful sense of buoyancy.• The beam carried on in a straight line, and hit the point where the bullseye ought to have been.• Neither recovery nor relapse is a straight line.• His wife, arms folded, mouth a straight line.• In the meantime I began to set out a straight line for us to work along.• Try to keep them in a fairly straight line along each joist.• Bobbie favored straight lines over detours, but in her own way she too knew how to adapt.• All objects have a propensity to move in straight lines, upwards or downwards, towards their natural place.county/state line• The abduction of Pam McGill prior to her murder occurred on a county line.• For purposes of consistency and enforcement across state lines, divorce laws need to be substantially federalized by the national village.• As is shown in Figures 15. 1c and 15. 2c, a considerable amount of waste crosses State lines.• When the train reached the New 160 Hampshire-Massachusetts state line, it stopped again.• Invariably, she is richer after meetings at her local track, Oaklawn, just across the state line in Arkansas.• Around 1920, he established a practice just across the state line in Copperhill, Tenn.• Adams wheeled around at the state line and took off at high speed for Oglala, about fifteen miles away.line of• a line of bushesin a straight line• So they must have thought they were still going in a straight line heading for the bullseye.• All objects have a propensity to move in straight lines, upwards or downwards, towards their natural place.• They followed rivers for convenience, then struck out in a straight line, bisecting mountain ranges, cutting watersheds in half.• Photographs showed it to consist of twenty or more radiant pieces in a straight line, embedded inside an extensive bright cloud.• Light always travels in a straight line.• The snow had come down the mountain and now met us on the road, sailing toward us in straight lines.• It's difficult to walk in a straight line with your eyes closed.• They are like crayfish, unable to walk in a straight line.• He blasted it and it went in a straight line from his foot to the top right hand corner.• Because it was attached to the straw and the string, it went in a straight line.deep lines• Her pale yellow hair had long ago gone gray; deep lines ran from her nose to her mouth.• In time they turn into deep lines, wrinkles, frown marks and sagging skin.• The rough pebbles of scar tissue interrupted the deep lines that laughter had once carved into his temples.• Her skin was cleft with deep lines running from the jaw to the high jutting cheekbones.on the line• I shrugged my shoulders and then the hospital came on the line.• The slip knot should be marked with a spot of colour on the line.• He told Sir Bryan to get the Chief Constable on the line immediately and to keep it open in the meantime.• The service was intense and an immediate turn-round was virtually possible at Delph because there were so many on the line.• On the basis of what I told them, they put money on the line.• A lot of people are putting money on the line, hoping what Petruchio says he can do, he will do.• There's a lot of static on the line.railway line• Few railway lines were built for non-economic reasons.• The latter were concentrated quite markedly in Stratford and Forest Gate within easy reach of the main railway line into the city.• It shared them with the rickety railway line which ran parallel to the road.• Steam on the kitchen window cuts off the railway lines, making the tiny kitchen for once a friendly place.• The figure on the tracks was moving forward, stepping across the thrumming railway lines.fine line• There is clearly a fine line between stifling government intervention and encouraging creativity and innovation.• It's a fine line between guilt and shame.• Terror was the key, of course, for there's a fine line between paralysing dread and galvanising fright.• Pressed powder can be used but it will sit on your skin and in fine lines if you overdo it.• Omite dabs at her eyes, which are surrounded by hundreds of fine lines.• Choose from: Dry Skin Cream a rich moisturiser to smooth out fine lines.• It was finished, obviously, and he had to take consolation in the fine line be-tween biology and spirit.• This is indeed treading the fine line between glory and disaster.learn ... lines• George Birkitt got lazy about learning his lines too.• The fact could not be avoided: Michael Banks could no longer learn lines.• Do not learn your lines, as this can make the talk rather stilted unless you are a competent actor.• It's time for the synthetic actors to start learning their lines.• The only way for it to look any different is for Michael to learn the bloody lines.• On another part of the movie lot, Charlie Schlatter was learning his final lines of the drama.• He had little patience with learning lines, a habit which spread to members of his company.line on• What's the candidate's line on abortion?line of argument/reasoning/inquiry etc• Another line of argument emphasizes how women are rendered invisible in these statistics.• Important lines of inquiry, he realized, had not been pursued.• One of the strengths of Cable's work here is that he makes such possible lines of argument and controversy vivid.• The same line of reasoning confirms the sun-disc as a manifestation of a deity.• The same line of reasoning was applicable to the admissibility of evidence relating to previous agreements.• Mr. Jones I do not accept that line of argument from the hon. Gentleman.• This invalidates the line of reasoning just followed.• Again, this line of reasoning is purely speculative.long line• Johann was the latest in a long line of men who had built these walls and kept them in repair.• A long line of soldiers splashed across the river and poured their fire into the silent lodges.• An estimated 40,000 sea turtles are killed each year on commercial long lines...• In the shorter term, cyanide fishing also depletes stocks faster than the traditional use of long lines, or even nets.• On the way out, he admired the long line of brilliant carriages which he had never seen before.• The name Venturous was a break from the long line of traditional names for Cutters as it had never previously been used.• The Confederates, with the smaller army, had the longer line to fill.• In their front, to their rear, and supported on each side, were long lines of blue.front line• The entire front line, with few exceptions, went down in the consuming blast.• Foreign journalists have been turned back and some even detained at numerous checkpoints along the former front lines throughout the country.• They had never left their home, even when the Arab-Jewish front line ran behind the house in 1948.• In any dispute about public spending, you are in the front line.• Nearby was the base camp for the New Zealand Division that was away fighting in the front line.• Warren Goss was among the Federals who were hugging the ground in the front lines.• It would be like having all our soldiers in the front line at the same time.• The police didn't give any ground and on the front line they handed out as much physical punishment as they received.washing line• There was hardly room for a washing line in the back.• Jacket taken: A sheepskin jacket worth £69 was stolen from a washing line in Hewitson Road, Darlington.• Let there be shirts on a washing line.• That is, with a path slap down the middle, a flanking washing line and four narrow borders around the edge.• They resembled washing lines, although instead of clothes, several dozen peculiar wooden and metal contraptions were pegged out.• The groups of houses and their washing lines.the male/female line• Aberration, if it occurred, was not recorded, and the female line took second place.• A second method of proclaiming cadency down the male line of the whole blood is to display single marks of difference.• Egg colour itself is inherited down the female line, so that females stay with the bird by whom they were fostered.• Incidentally, this means that we can use mitochondria to trace our ancestry, strictly down the female line.• The family was one of the most prolific in the parish, but in the end the male line withered.• X genes are not the only genes inherited through the female line.line of work/business• Henson had to leave real-estate, which had been his line of business since 1969.• In his line of business you don't get to be forty unless you have something on the ball.• I meet some interesting people in my line of work.• It should be anticipated that eventually the best qualified and experienced public service professionals will opt for some other line of work.• About half way up the ridge a small line of works had been thrown up.• But I needed cash quickly to set up in that line of business.• His wife, a former social worker, gave up that line of work when she concluded it was hopeless.• I didn't go into this line of work to take the easy option every time things get rough.• Some, unfortunately, have simply chosen the wrong line of work.• But maybe Behring is just in the wrong line of work.line2 ●●○ verb [transitive] 1 DCto sew a piece of material onto the inside or back of another piece to make it stronger or warmer 给…加衬里2 COVERto form a layer over the inner surface of something 铺，垫〔某物内部〕3 LINEto form rows along the sides of something 沿…排列成行4. line your own pockets RICHto make yourself richer, especially by doing something dishonest – used to show disapproval 中饱私囊〔含贬义〕5 line up phrasal verb → line-up→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
line• Use wax paper to line the baking pan.• Harbin lined the ball into right field.• Bags of manure line the shelves.• Fans lined the street just to get a glimpse of the band.• Hundreds of people lined the streets to see the football team go by.• Its boasts about fanatical recruits lining up for paradise through the martyrdom of suicide-bombing may be bluster.• In addition, the Hurricanes also lined up several weeks back and rather easily handled then-No. 2 Virginia Tech.• The route taken by the Queen was lined with crowds of people waving flags.• These are no longer there either, but the edges of the field were lined with horse boxes, vans and trailers.• The coffin's interior had apparently been lined with thick felt.line something with something• The jacket is lined with fur.• We lined the box with newspaper.be lined with something• It was lined with baize, on which reposed row upon row of miniatures.• The lobby and stairwell are lined with banners, athletic trophies and school bulletins.• The boots are lined with Cambrelle throughout which effectively wicks away any excessive perspiration.• The streets are lined with celebrants.• This hallway was lined with pink-tinted mirrors.• Its verandah was lined with potted shrubs, and connected to the bank by a gangway.• The corridor was lined with windows overlooking a central quadrangle.From Longman Business Dictionarylineline /laɪn/ noun [countable]1 (also product line)MARKETING a type of product that a company makes or sells, often with several different sizes, models etcSYN RANGEIt continues to get about two-thirds of its revenue from this one product, despite repeated efforts to diversify its product line (=develop new products).Hasbro, the maker of the G.I. Joe line of dolls2MANUFACTURING a team of people who work together, each doing a different job but working to achieve the same thing3COMMERCEsomeone’s line of work, business etc is the work that they doA corporation may get into a certain line of business as a short-term objective to generate cash-flow.4TRANSPORTTRAVELa company providing a system for moving goods or people by sea, air, road etca cartel that shut out rival shipping lines5a telephone connection, or a telephone number you can call if you have a particular kind of question or problemOur lines are open 7 days a week.If you want advice, you can call our Action Line. → see also landline6hold the line if you ask someone you are speaking to on the telephone to hold the line, you are asking them politely to wait for a short timeIf you will please hold the line a moment I will see if Mr Wyatt is available.7on the line if someone is on the line, they have called you on the telephoneCan’t it wait? I’ve got a client on the line.8on the line if your job, home etc is on the line, you risk losing itThey have put their homes on the line to do this deal.If they fail, their reputations are on the line.9in line with if something changes in line with something else, it changes at the same rateThe value of these stocks is uprated each year in line with changes in the retail price index.10in line for likely to get somethingIf he delivers the goods, he should be in line for a job on the committee.11on/off lineCOMPUTING if you are on line, your computer is connected to other computers or the Internet. If a computer is off line, it is not connected to other computers or the InternetYou can book tickets on line (=on the Internet).12come on line if a system, arrangement or new product comes on line, it becomes availableNew oil production wells are coming on line.13sign on the dotted line to agree officially to something by writing your name on a documentDemand that the repairs are done before you sign on the dotted line.14in the firing line/in the line of fire in a position where you can be criticized or blamed for somethingWhen things go wrong, company directors are the ones in the firing line.Origin line1 (1200-1300) Partly from Old French ligne, from Latin linea, from linum “flax”; partly from Old English line line2 (1300-1400) line “flax”, from Old English lin; → LINENline1 noun →10-19 →20-29 →30-40
→n THESAURUS1line2 verbLDOCE OnlineChinese
→n THESAURUS1line2 verbLDOCE OnlineChinese
a on piece long of a paper, Corpus the mark thin Business
line
line1 S1 W1 /laɪn/ 
noun
Draw a straight line across the top of the page.
Sign your name on the dotted line (=line made up of a series of dots).
The edges of the pitch are marked by white lines.
The goalkeeper just managed to stop the ball going over the line.
He raced towards the finishing line.
2. BETWEEN TWO AREAS [countable] an imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, for example showing where one country or area of land stops and another begins
county/state line American English:
He was born in a small town just across the state line.
line of latitude/longitude
They were still travelling along the same line of longitude. ⇨ International Date Line
3. OF PEOPLE/THINGS [countable]
a. a row of people or things next to each other
line of
There was a line of fir trees on either side of the road.
The four men were standing in a line on the other side of the table.
A couple of the posts were out of line (=not in a straight row).
b. especially American English a row of people, cars etc that are waiting one behind the other
SYN queue British English:
I looked in despair at the long line in front of the ticket office.
line of
I joined the line of vehicles waiting to get into the car park.
stand/wait in line
Customers stood in line for 20 minutes at the cash register.
He tried to cut in line (=go in front of other people who are waiting).
The woman next in line began to mutter to herself.
4. DIRECTION [countable] the direction or imaginary line along which something travels between two places:
Light travels in a straight line.
A boat came into my line of vision (=the direction I was looking in).
line of fire/attack/movement etc (=the direction in which someone shoots, attacks, moves etc)
I was directly in the animal’s line of attack.
They knew they needed to block their enemy’s supply lines (=the direction used for carrying supplies of food etc).
5. ON YOUR FACE [countable] a line on the skin of someone’s face ⇨ wrinkle:
She frowned, and deep lines appeared between her eyebrows.
There were fine lines around her eyes.
No one can avoid lines and wrinkles as they get older.
6. PHONE [countable] a telephone wire or connection:
I’m sorry, the line is busy (=someone is already using it).
There seems to be a fault on the line.
There was a click, then the line went dead (=suddenly stopped working completely).
Henry is on the line (=on the phone) from New York.
I got on the line to (=phoned) the hospital as soon as I heard about the accident.
I wished he would just get off the line.
I’m sorry, it’s a bad line and I can’t hear you.
Hold the line (=wait on the phone), please, and I’ll put you through to our sales department.
Do you have a separate line for your modem?
7. FOR TRAINS [countable] a track that a train travels along:
We were delayed because of a problem further along the line.
When you get to central London, take the Victoria Line to Finsbury Park.
railway line British English railroad line American English:
The trail follows a disused railroad line along the edge of the valley.
8. BETWEEN TWO TYPES OF THING [countable usually singular] the point at which one type of thing can be considered to be something else or at which it becomes a particular thing
line between
There is a fine line between superstition and religion.
The dividing line between luxuries and necessities is constantly changing.
Sometimes he found it hard to draw the line between work and pleasure.
Her remarks did not quite cross the line into rudeness.
Large numbers of families are living on or near the poverty line (=the point at which people are considered to be very poor).
9. SHAPE/EDGE [countable usually plural] the outer shape of something long or tall:
She was wearing a loose dress which softened the lines of her body.
a modern building with clean, elegant lines.
10. WORDS [countable]
a. a line of written words, for example in a poem or a document:
He quoted a few lines from Shakespeare.
Scroll down to line 29.
b. a remark:
He liked to introduce himself with a witty opening line.
This was one of his favourite chat-up lines (=remark for impressing someone you want to attract).
c. [usually plural] words that someone has to learn and say as part of a play or performance:
Paul often messed up his lines.
It always took me ages to learn my lines.
11. OPINION/ATTITUDE [singular] an opinion or attitude, especially one that someone states publicly and that influences their actions
line on
I can’t agree with the government’s line on immigration.
Journalists are often too willing to accept the official line (=the opinion that a government states officially).
He found it hard to accept the party line (=the official opinion of a political party) on every issue.
take a tough/firm/hard line on something
The school takes a very tough line on drugs. ⇨ toe the line at toe2
12. WAY OF DOING SOMETHING [countable] a particular way of doing something or of thinking about something
line of argument/reasoning/inquiry etc
It seemed useless to pursue this line of questioning.
Opposition parties soon realized they would have to try a different line of attack.
The police are following several different lines of enquiry.
We were both thinking along the same lines (=in the same way).
In South Africa, the press developed along very different lines (=in a very different way).
More groups will now be set up on these lines (=this way).
The company’s rapid success means it’s definitely on the right lines (=doing something the right way).
13. SERIES OF EVENTS [countable usually singular] a series of events that follow each other
line of
This is the latest in a long line of political scandals.
14. IN A WAR [countable] the edge of an area that is controlled by an army, where soldiers stay and try to prevent their enemy from moving forward:
They finally broke through the German line.
young soldiers who were sent to the front line to fight
One regiment was trapped behind enemy lines.
Reinforcements were available just behind the lines.
15. IN A COMPANY/ORGANIZATION [countable] a series of levels of authority within an organization:
Decisions are taken by senior officers and fed down through the line of command to the ordinary soldiers.
There should be more direct discussion between managers and workers lower down the line. ⇨ line manager
16. OF ROPE/WIRE [countable] a piece of strong string, rope, or wire used for a particular purpose:
She hung the clothes out on the washing line (=line for hanging wet clothes on to dry).
The fishing line (=line for catching fish) snapped and the fish got away.
17. PRODUCT [countable] a type of goods for sale in a shop:
The company has just launched a new line of small, low-priced computers.
18. along these/those lines (also along the lines of something) similar to something else:
We usually start with general questions along the lines of, ‘How do you feel?’
They’re trying to organize a trip to the beach or something along those lines.
19. along religious/ethnic/party etc lines if people divide along religious, party etc lines they divide according to the religion, political party, or other group they belong to:
The committee was split along party lines.
The community remains divided along religious lines.
20. on line
a. using a computer to get information or to communicate with people:
You can book tickets on line.
Most of our sales staff now work on line. ⇨ online
b. working properly as planned:
a new nuclear reactor which should be on line by 2005
If there is a power failure, the emergency generators should come on line within 15 minutes.
21. drop somebody a line informal to write a short letter or email to someone:
Drop me a line and let me know how you’re getting on.
22. don’t give me that line spoken used to say that you do not believe someone’s excuse:
I know for a fact you weren’t sick yesterday, so don’t give me that line.
23. fall into line/bring somebody into line informal to start to do what someone else wants you to do, or to make someone do this:
Now that France and Germany have signed up, other countries will soon fall into line.
The few party rebels were soon brought into line.
24. in line with something if something changes in line with something else, it changes in the same way and at the same rate as it:
Pensions will be increased in line with inflation.
25. bring something into line with something to change a system so that it works according to a particular set of rules, laws etc:
UK immigration procedures will have to be changed to bring them into line with the latest European ruling.
26. be out of line informal
a. to say or do something that is not acceptable in a particular situation:
You just keep quiet__ You’re way out of line.
b. to not obey someone, or to do something that you should not do
get/step out of line
Anybody who steps out of line will be in deep trouble.
27. be in line for something/be in line to do something to be very likely to get or be given something:
I should be in line for promotion soon.
first/second/next etc in line for
He must be first in line for the editor’s job.
28. be first/second/next etc in line to the throne to be the person who has a right to become a future king or queen:
As the eldest son, he was next in line to the throne.
29. be on the line if something important is on the line, there is a risk that you might lose it or something bad could happen to it:
From now on, all our jobs are on the line.
She knew that her whole future was on the line.
put yourself/your neck on the line (for somebody) (=risk something bad happening to you)
I’ve already put myself on the line for you once, and I’m not going to do it again.
30. be in sb’s line informal to be the type of thing that someone is interested in or good at:
Acting’s not really in my line, I’m afraid.
31. get a line on somebody/something especially American English informal to get information about someone or something:
We need to get some kind of a line on these guys.
32. somewhere along the line informal at some time during an activity or period of time:
Somewhere along the line, Errol seemed to have lost interest in her.
33. down the line informal later, after an activity or situation has been continuing for a period of time:
There may be more costs further down the line.
Now, three years down the line, we’re beginning to see the problems with the treatment.
34. in the line of duty happening or done as part of your job:
firefighters dying in the line of duty
35. be in the firing line/in the line of fire
a. to be one of the people who could be criticized or blamed for something:
As one of the President’s chief advisers, he’s bound to be in the firing line.
b. to be in a place where a bullet etc might hit you:
A couple of civilians were caught in the firing line.
36. PUNISHMENT lines [plural] British English a punishment given to school children that consists of writing the same thing a lot of times:
He got 50 lines for being cheeky to a teacher.
37. FAMILY [singular] your family, considered as the people you are related to who lived before you and the people who will live after you:
She comes from a long line of actors.
It looks as if Joe might be the last of the line (=the last in his family).
the male/female line
This particular gene is passed down through the male line.
line of succession (=the system by which an important position or property is passed from a parent to their children, and then to their children etc)
Henry the Eighth wanted a male heir to ensure the Tudor line of succession.
38. JOB [countable usually singular] the type of work someone does
line of work/business
What line of business is he in?
in the building/retail etc line
She’s keen to do something in the fashion line.
39. TRANSPORT [countable] a company that provides transport for moving goods by sea, air, road etc:
He runs a transatlantic shipping line.
40. DRUG [countable] informal an amount of an illegal drug in powder form, arranged in a line so it can be breathed in through the nose
⇨ draw the line at at draw1(16), ⇨ draw a line (between something) at draw1(15), ⇨ where do you draw the line? at draw1(17), ⇨ draw a line under something at draw1(18), ⇨ hard line at hard1(21), ⇨ hook, line and sinker at hook1(9), ⇨ lay something on the line at lay2(18), ⇨ picket line, ⇨ the poverty line/level at poverty(2), ⇨ read between the lines at read1(14)
■ on the ground/on the surface of something
▪line a long thin mark on a piece of paper, the ground, or another surface: The teacher put a red line through the first sentence. | If the ball goes over the line, it’s out of play.
▪groove a thin line that has been cut into a surface: Deep grooves had been cut into the stone to channel the water. | Lyle ran his fingernail along the groove in the table.
▪rut a deep line in the ground which has been made by the wheels of vehicles: The deep ruts made by the trucks were full of water. | The tractor’s wheels caught a rut in the field and jolted him.
▪crease/wrinkle a line on clothes, material, or paper where it has been folded or crushed: She was trying to smooth out the creases in her dress. | She had wrinkles in her skirt where she had sat.
■ on someone’s face
▪line a line on the skin of someone’s face: The deep lines on his forehead showed that he was a worried man.
▪wrinkle a deep line on someone’s face caused by becoming old: The manufacturers claim that the cream will reduce wrinkles. | Even with a few wrinkles, she still looks great.
line2 verb [transitive]1. to sew a piece of material onto the inside or back of another piece to make it stronger or warmer:
Are those curtains lined?
line something with something
a leather coat lined with silk
2. to form a layer over the inner surface of something:
The birds use small leaves for lining their nests.
line something with something
The cage should be lined with straw.
3. to form rows along the sides of something:
Crowds lined the route to the palace.
be lined with something
The street was lined with small shops.
a tree-lined avenue
4. line your own pockets to make yourself richer, especially by doing something dishonest – used to show disapproval
line up phrasal verb
1. if people line up, or if you line them up, they stand in a row or line, or you make them do this:
Line up, everybody__
line somebody ↔ up
He lined us all up in the corridor.
2. line something ↔ up to arrange things in a row:
I lined the bottles up on the sideboard.
3. line something ↔ up to move one thing so that it is in the correct position in relation to something else
line something ↔ up with
The windows should be lined up with the door frame.
4. line somebody/something ↔ up to arrange for something to happen or for someone to be available for an event:
We’ve lined up some excellent speakers for tonight.
He’s already got a new job lined up.
⇨ line-up
| I |
noun Date: 1200-1300
Origin: Partly from Old French ligne, from Latin linea, from linum 'flax'; partly from Old English line
1. ON PAPER/ON THE GROUND [countable] a long thin mark on a piece of paper, the ground, or another surface:Origin: Partly from Old French ligne, from Latin linea, from linum 'flax'; partly from Old English line
2. BETWEEN TWO AREAS [countable] an imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, for example showing where one country or area of land stops and another begins
county/state line American English:
line of latitude/longitude
3. OF PEOPLE/THINGS [countable]
a. a row of people or things next to each other
line of
b. especially American English a row of people, cars etc that are waiting one behind the other
SYN queue British English:
line of
stand/wait in line
4. DIRECTION [countable] the direction or imaginary line along which something travels between two places:
line of fire/attack/movement etc (=the direction in which someone shoots, attacks, moves etc)
5. ON YOUR FACE [countable] a line on the skin of someone’s face ⇨ wrinkle:
6. PHONE [countable] a telephone wire or connection:
7. FOR TRAINS [countable] a track that a train travels along:
railway line British English railroad line American English:
8. BETWEEN TWO TYPES OF THING [countable usually singular] the point at which one type of thing can be considered to be something else or at which it becomes a particular thing
line between
9. SHAPE/EDGE [countable usually plural] the outer shape of something long or tall:
10. WORDS [countable]
a. a line of written words, for example in a poem or a document:
b. a remark:
c. [usually plural] words that someone has to learn and say as part of a play or performance:
11. OPINION/ATTITUDE [singular] an opinion or attitude, especially one that someone states publicly and that influences their actions
line on
take a tough/firm/hard line on something
12. WAY OF DOING SOMETHING [countable] a particular way of doing something or of thinking about something
line of argument/reasoning/inquiry etc
13. SERIES OF EVENTS [countable usually singular] a series of events that follow each other
line of
14. IN A WAR [countable] the edge of an area that is controlled by an army, where soldiers stay and try to prevent their enemy from moving forward:
15. IN A COMPANY/ORGANIZATION [countable] a series of levels of authority within an organization:
16. OF ROPE/WIRE [countable] a piece of strong string, rope, or wire used for a particular purpose:
17. PRODUCT [countable] a type of goods for sale in a shop:
18. along these/those lines (also along the lines of something) similar to something else:
19. along religious/ethnic/party etc lines if people divide along religious, party etc lines they divide according to the religion, political party, or other group they belong to:
20. on line
a. using a computer to get information or to communicate with people:
b. working properly as planned:
21. drop somebody a line informal to write a short letter or email to someone:
22. don’t give me that line spoken used to say that you do not believe someone’s excuse:
23. fall into line/bring somebody into line informal to start to do what someone else wants you to do, or to make someone do this:
24. in line with something if something changes in line with something else, it changes in the same way and at the same rate as it:
25. bring something into line with something to change a system so that it works according to a particular set of rules, laws etc:
26. be out of line informal
a. to say or do something that is not acceptable in a particular situation:
b. to not obey someone, or to do something that you should not do
get/step out of line
27. be in line for something/be in line to do something to be very likely to get or be given something:
first/second/next etc in line for
28. be first/second/next etc in line to the throne to be the person who has a right to become a future king or queen:
29. be on the line if something important is on the line, there is a risk that you might lose it or something bad could happen to it:
put yourself/your neck on the line (for somebody) (=risk something bad happening to you)
30. be in sb’s line informal to be the type of thing that someone is interested in or good at:
31. get a line on somebody/something especially American English informal to get information about someone or something:
32. somewhere along the line informal at some time during an activity or period of time:
33. down the line informal later, after an activity or situation has been continuing for a period of time:
34. in the line of duty happening or done as part of your job:
35. be in the firing line/in the line of fire
a. to be one of the people who could be criticized or blamed for something:
b. to be in a place where a bullet etc might hit you:
36. PUNISHMENT lines [plural] British English a punishment given to school children that consists of writing the same thing a lot of times:
37. FAMILY [singular] your family, considered as the people you are related to who lived before you and the people who will live after you:
the male/female line
line of succession (=the system by which an important position or property is passed from a parent to their children, and then to their children etc)
38. JOB [countable usually singular] the type of work someone does
line of work/business
in the building/retail etc line
39. TRANSPORT [countable] a company that provides transport for moving goods by sea, air, road etc:
40. DRUG [countable] informal an amount of an illegal drug in powder form, arranged in a line so it can be breathed in through the nose
⇨ draw the line at at draw1(16), ⇨ draw a line (between something) at draw1(15), ⇨ where do you draw the line? at draw1(17), ⇨ draw a line under something at draw1(18), ⇨ hard line at hard1(21), ⇨ hook, line and sinker at hook1(9), ⇨ lay something on the line at lay2(18), ⇨ picket line, ⇨ the poverty line/level at poverty(2), ⇨ read between the lines at read1(14)
| THESAURUS |
▪
▪
▪
▪
■ on someone’s face
▪
▪
| II |
verb [transitive]1. to sew a piece of material onto the inside or back of another piece to make it stronger or warmer: line something with something
2. to form a layer over the inner surface of something:
line something with something
3. to form rows along the sides of something:
be lined with something
4. line your own pockets to make yourself richer, especially by doing something dishonest – used to show disapproval
line up phrasal verb
1. if people line up, or if you line them up, they stand in a row or line, or you make them do this:
line somebody ↔ up
2. line something ↔ up to arrange things in a row:
3. line something ↔ up to move one thing so that it is in the correct position in relation to something else
line something ↔ up with
4. line somebody/something ↔ up to arrange for something to happen or for someone to be available for an event:
⇨ line-up
also
