noun
plural lines
[count] a long narrow mark on a surface
a mark on the ground that shows the edge of the playing area in a sport
[count] :an area or border that separates two places
[count] a group of people or things that are next to each other in a row
b US :a group of people, vehicles, etc., that are in front of and behind each other in a row while they wait to move forward
In most areas of the U.S., it is usual to say that people are (waiting/standing) in line for something.
[count] :the outline of a figure, body, or surface - often plural
[count] :a long and thin rope, string, etc.
[count] a pipe for carrying something (such as steam, water, or oil)
a wire or set of wires that carries electricity or a telephone signal
[count] :a telephone connection
[count] :a row of words, letters, numbers, or symbols written across a page
b lines [plural] :the words that an actor speaks in a play, movie, etc.
[count] :a short note or message
[count] :a spoken or written comment
[count] :a wrinkle on a person's skin
[count] :the path along which something moves or is directed
[count] :a railroad track
[count] :production line
[singular] :a series of similar things
[count] :the people in a family :the series of people who are born in a family as years pass
[count] a way of behaving, thinking, etc.
an official or public position or opinion
[count] :an area of activity or interest
[count] :the position of military forces who are facing the enemy
[count] :a group of related products that are sold by one company
[count] a system used for moving people or things from one place to another
a system that allows people to share information
lines [plural] - used in phrases like along the lines of to refer to something that is similar or close to the thing being mentioned
[count] American football
line of scrimmage
the players who are positioned on the line of scrimmage
[count] :an amount of an illegal drug (such as cocaine) that is arranged in a thin line so that it can be breathed into the nose through a straw
along the line
informal :during a process or series of events
cross the line
down the line
informal :in the future
draw a/the line
to see or understand the difference between things
to refuse to do or allow something :to set a limit - usually + at
fall in/into line
get/have a line on
US informal :to get or have information about (someone or something that you are trying to find)
hold the line
to not allow any more changes or increases - usually + against or on
hook, line, and sinker
in line
used to say that someone should get something or is likely to get something
used to refer to a person or thing that follows or could follow another person or thing
doing what other people want or expect :in a state of agreement or cooperation
in line with
in agreement with
into line
into a state of agreement or cooperation
lay it on the line
informal :to speak very honestly and directly to someone
on line
in or into operation
on the line
in danger of being lost or harmed :at risk
out of line
informal :beyond what is reasonable or allowable :not right or appropriate
read between the lines
take/follow the line of least resistance
the end of the line
toe the line
verb
lines; lined; lining
[+ obj] :to place or form a line along (something, such as a hallway, building, or street)
baseball :to hit a line drive [no obj]
line up
[phrasal verb]
to form a line
line (people or things) up or line up (people or things) :to put (people or things) into a line
line (things) up or line up (things) :to place (things) so that their edges form a straight line :align
line (something) up or line up (something) :to succeed in getting (something)
verb
lines; lined; lining
[+ obj] :to cover the inner surface of (something)
line your pockets
informal :to take or get a lot of money by doing something illegal or dishonest