on the line
The phrase "on the line" is versatile, often used to describe situations involving risk, communication, or boundaries.
Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)At risk of being lost or harmed.
Example
- His job is on the line after the recent mistakes.
- She put her reputation on the line to defend her friend.
B1Communication
(informal)Speaking on the telephone.
Example
- Can you hold for a moment? I have another call on the line.
- She was on the line with her mother for hours.
B2Sports
(technical)Positioned on one of the boundary lines of a playing field or court.
Example
- The ball was on the line, so it was ruled in.
- He stood on the line waiting for the referee's signal.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "on the line":
in linelay on the linecash on the lineon the hookout of linedown lineon the edgeline upline of fireloop linetoe the linegive someone linecross the lineback linebattle lineup linecrossing the linetop linebelow the lineline outon the phonein the line of dutyledger lineabove the lineon the telephoneon the railson a stringlow lineenemy lineon the ropesfront lineforward linegreen linehard linesfiring linered linebody lineend of the lineon the levelon trackbe onon the tablecounty lineend lineon sideon the clockon theon the stocksplain linepicket lineon the streetpolice lineon the squareon the jobsecond lineparty linein the crosshairson holdon the ballin the fieldunder the gunfall in linestand inon the groundon the shelfhung up onunder the wiretrim linewalk the lineon the sideon the wingon thin iceon the tack