ALL meanings of on the line
on the line
O o - noun on 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 on the line a circle of the terrestrial or celestial sphere: the equinoctial line. 1
- noun on the line banner (def 7). 1
- noun on 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 on the line Television. one scanning line. 1
- noun on 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
- noun on the line the line, Geography. the equator. 1
- noun on the line a stock of commercial goods of the same general class but having a range of styles, sizes, prices, or quality: the company's line of shoes. 1
- noun on the line an assembly line. 1
- noun on the line Law. a limit defining one estate from another; the outline or boundary of a piece of real estate. 1
- noun on the line Bridge. a line on a score sheet that separates points scored toward game (below the line) from points scored by setting a contract, having honors, etc. (above the line) 1
- noun on the line Music. any of the straight, horizontal, parallel strokes of the staff, or one placed above or below the staff. 1
- noun on the line Military. a defensive position or front. a series of fortifications: the Maginot line. Usually, lines. a distribution of troops, sentries, etc., for the defense of a position or for an attack: behind the enemy's lines. the body of personnel constituting the combatant forces of an army, as distinguished from the supply services and staff corps. 1
- noun on the line an arrangement of troops of an army or of ships of a fleet as drawn up for battle: line of battle. 1
- noun on the line a body or formation of troops or ships drawn up abreast (distinguished from column (def 6.)). 1
- noun on the line the class of officers serving with combatant units or warships. 1
- noun on the line the regular forces of an army or navy. 1
- noun on the line that part of an administrative organization consisting of persons actively engaged on a given project. Compare staff1 (def 4). 1
- noun on the line a thread, string, cord, rope, or the like. 1
- noun on the line a clothesline: the wash hanging on the line. 1
- noun on the line a cord, wire, or the like, used for measuring or as a guide. 1
- noun on the line Nautical. a pipe or hose: a steam line. a rope or cable used at sea. 1
- noun on the line Slang. a small quantity of cocaine arranged in the form of a slender thread or line, as for sniffing. 1
- noun on the line Also, ligne. a unit equal to 1/40 (0.025) inch (0.64 mm), for measuring the diameter of buttons. 1
- noun on the line Angling. a length of nylon, silk, linen, cord, or the like, to which are attached the leader, hook, sinker, float, etc. 1
- noun on the line Football. either of the two front rows of opposing players lined up opposite each other on the line of scrimmage: a four-man line. the line of scrimmage. 1
- noun on the line the betting odds established by bookmakers for events not covered by pari-mutuel betting, especially sporting events, as football or basketball. 1
- noun on the line Ice Hockey. the two wings and center who make up a team's offensive unit. 1
- noun on the line Fencing. any of the four divisions of the portion of a fencer's body on which a touch can be scored, taken as an area of attack or defense. 1
- noun on the line Textiles. the longer and preferred flax or hemp fibers. Compare tow2 (def 2). 1
- noun on the line Fox Hunting. the trail of scent left by a fox. 1
- noun on the line a unit of length equivalent to 1/12 (0.0833) inch (2.12 millimeters). 1
- noun on the line Insurance. a class or type of insurance: casualty line. the amount of insurance written for a particular risk. 1
- noun on the line Australian Slang. a girl or woman. 1
- verb without object on the line to take a position in a line; range (often followed by up): to line up before the start of a parade. 1
- verb without object on the line Baseball. to hit a line drive. to line out. 1
- verb with object on the line to bring into a line, or into line with others (often followed by up): to line up troops. 1
- verb with object on the line to mark with a line or lines: to line paper for writing. 1
- verb with object on 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 on the line to arrange a line along: to line a coast with colonies. 1
- verb with object on the line to form a line along: Rocks lined the drive. 1
- verb with object on the line to apply eyeliner to (the eyes). 1
- verb with object on the line to delineate with or as if with lines; draw: to line the silhouette of a person's head. 1
- verb with object on the line Archaic. to measure or test with a line. 1
- idioms on 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 on 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 on 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 on the line draw the line, to impose a restriction; limit: They might exaggerate but would draw the line at outright lying. 1
- idioms on 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 on 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