lay on the line

The phrase "lay on the line" is often used in contexts requiring honesty or risk, emphasizing directness or the stakes involved.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

B2Communication

(informal)To speak directly and honestly, without holding back.

Example

She laid it on the line and told him exactly what she thought of his behavior.

B2Risk

(informal)To risk something valuable or important.

Example

He laid his job on the line to stand up for what he believed in.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "lay on the line":

on the line lay over lay into lay on cash on the line lay open lay out lay bare lay by lay to lay in lay down lay away lay about lay it on thick toe the line cross the line lie over lay figure lay odds lie in the way draw a line in the sand give someone line lie upon lay down the law battle line leave it all on the field go out on a limb line out lie down flat out lie behind lie with lie in give one's all back line lie by breast one's cards put one's money where one's mouth is hard lines