ALL meanings of hold the line
hold the line
H h - verb with object hold the line to mark with a line or lines: to line paper for writing. 1
- verb with object hold the line to sketch verbally or in writing; outline (often followed by out): We followed the plan he had lined out. 1
- verb with object hold the line to arrange a line along: to line a coast with colonies. 1
- verb with object hold the line to form a line along: Rocks lined the drive. 1
- verb with object hold the line to apply eyeliner to (the eyes). 1
- verb with object hold the line to delineate with or as if with lines; draw: to line the silhouette of a person's head. 1
- verb with object hold the line Archaic. to measure or test with a line. 1
- idioms hold the line bring / come / get into line, to become or cause to become straight, as in a row: The members of the marching band got into line. to conform or cause to conform or agree: They were persuaded to come into line with the party's policy. 1
- idioms hold the line cross the line, to go beyond accepted standards of behavior: His outburst crossed the line between heated argument and offensive vilification. Sometimes, cross a boundary. 1
- idioms hold the line down the line, in all ways; thoroughly; fully: It's a fine house right down the line—well-built, roomy, attractive. in the future. 1
- idioms hold the line draw the line, to impose a restriction; limit: They might exaggerate but would draw the line at outright lying. 1
- idioms hold the line go up in one's lines, Theater. to forget one's part during a performance. Also, British, go up on one's lines. 1
- idioms hold the line hold the line, to maintain the status quo, especially in order to forestall unfavorable developments: We're trying to hold the line on prices. 1
- idioms hold the line in line, in alignment; straight. in conformity or agreement. in control (of one's conduct): to keep one's temper in line. prepared; ready. waiting one behind the other in a queue: There were eight people in line at the teller's window. 1
- idioms hold the line in line with, in agreement or conformity with: The action taken was in line with her decision. 1
- idioms hold the line in the line of duty, in the execution of the duties belonging to some occupation, especially with regard to the responsibility for life and death: a policeman wounded in the line of duty. Also, in line of duty. 1
- idioms hold the line lay it on the line, Informal. to give money; pay. to give the required information; speak directly or frankly: I'm going to stop being polite and lay it on the line. 1
- idioms hold the line off line, occurring or functioning away from an assembly line, work process, etc. not in operation; not functioning. 1
- idioms hold the line on a line, Baseball. (of a batted or thrown ball) through the air in an approximately straight line from the point of impact or delivery: hit on a line between third and short; thrown in on a line from the center fielder. 1
- idioms hold the line on line, on or part of an assembly line: Production will be improved when the new welding equipment is on line. in or into operation: The manufacturing facilities will be on line before November. Computers. actively linked to a computer: The printer is not yet on line. Chiefly New York City. line1 (def 73e). 1
- idioms hold the line on the line, Informal. being risked or put in jeopardy; in a vulnerable position: Our prestige and honor are on the line. immediately; readily: paid cash on the line. 1
- idioms hold the line out of line, not in a straight line. in disagreement with what is accepted or practiced. Informal. impertinent; presumptuous: That last remark was out of line. 1
- idioms hold the line read between the lines, to understand the unexpressed but implied meaning of something said or written: Her letter sounded cheerful enough, but I read a certain sadness between the lines. 1
- idioms hold the line toe the line / mark, to conform strictly to a rule, command, etc. to shoulder responsibilities; do one's duty: He tried hard to toe the line on the new job. 1
- noun hold the line a mark or stroke long in proportion to its breadth, made with a pen, pencil, tool, etc., on a surface: a line down the middle of the page. 1
- noun hold the line Mathematics. a continuous extent of length, straight or curved, without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point. 1
- noun hold the line something arranged along a line, especially a straight line; a row or series: a line of trees. 1
- noun hold the line a number of persons standing one behind the other and waiting their turns at or for something; queue. 1
- noun hold the line something resembling a traced line, as a band of color, a seam, or a furrow: lines of stratification in rock. 1
- noun hold the line a furrow or wrinkle on the face, neck, etc.: lines around the eyes. 1
- noun hold the line an indication of demarcation; boundary; limit: the county line; a fine line between right and wrong. 1
- noun hold the line a row of written or printed letters, words, etc.: a page of 30 lines. 1
- noun hold the line a verse of poetry: A line in iambic pentameter contains five feet. 1
- noun hold the line Usually, lines. the words of an actor's part in a drama, musical comedy, etc.: to rehearse one's lines. 1
- noun hold the line a short written message: Drop me a line when you're on vacation. 1
- noun hold the line a system of public conveyances, as buses or trains, plying regularly over a fixed route: the northbound line at State Street. 1
- noun hold the line a transportation or conveyance company: a steamship line. 1
- noun hold the line a course of direction; route: the line of march down Main Street. 1
- noun hold the line a course of action, procedure, thought, policy, etc.: That newspaper follows the communist line. 1
- noun hold the line a piece of pertinent or useful information (usually followed by on): I've got a line on a good used car. 1
- noun hold the line a series of generations of persons, animals, or plants descended from a common ancestor: a line of kings. 1
- noun hold the line a department of activity; occupation or business: What line are you in? 1
- noun hold the line Informal. a mode of conversation, especially one that is glib or exaggerated in order to impress or influence another person: He really handed her a line about his rich relatives. 1
- noun hold the line a straight line drawn from an observed object to the fovea of the eye. 1
- noun hold the line lines. the outer form or proportions of a ship, building, etc.: a ship of fine lines. a general form, as of an event or something that is made, which may be the basis of comparison, imitation, etc.: two books written along the same lines. a person's lot or portion: to endure the hard lines of poverty. Chiefly British. a certificate of marriage. 1
- noun hold the line a circle of the terrestrial or celestial sphere: the equinoctial line. 1
- noun hold the line banner (def 7). 1
- noun hold the line Fine Arts. a mark made by a pencil, brush, or the like, that defines the contour of a shape, forms hatching, etc. the edge of a shape. 1
- noun hold the line Television. one scanning line. 1
- noun hold the line Telecommunications. a telephone connection: Please hold the line. a wire circuit connecting two or more pieces of electric apparatus, especially the wire or wires connecting points or stations in a telegraph or telephone system, or the system itself. 1