hot line
2
3.2
- noun
- /hɑt laɪn/
:
línea directa
- For immediate assistance, you can reach out to the drug abuse hot line anytime.
- Call the hot line
- toll-free hot line
- a free hot line
Examples
-
The woman on the phone had answered: "Suicide hot line -- please hold."
Fiction book (1995) -
Hello? - ls this the suicide hot line?
-
Anyone with information should call the Atlantic City hot line:
-
The police hot line number to call if you have any information... is 555-6023.
-
Police have yet to name a suspect... and have opened a 24-hour hot line for any information... regarding this or any of the other murders. -
-
If you have a complaint with a contractor or are worried that you are being scammed, call the consumer hot line at 800-441-2555.
Blog text (4) -
If you are feeling overwhelmed, please consider calling the suicide hot line for support.
-
The police department has established a dedicated hot line for citizens to report emergencies.
Synonyms
94
3.2
A phone line you can call for quick help or information
4
1.1
A phone number to call for help in an emergency, for example the police or an ambulance
How Urgent
Surface Forms
Morphology
The word 'line' transparently denotes a communication channel, so part of the concept is clear; however 'hot' in 'hot line' is a metaphorical/extended sense (urgent, specially prioritized) and is polysemous (the provided 'trending' sense would not directly give 'emergency/urgent'). A B1 learner who knows the constituents might guess it is a special or important phone line but would not reliably derive the exact 'urgent/emergency advice' meaning without prior exposure.
Etymology
The noun hot line comes from the Cold War idea of a special phone, often pictured as a red phone, that leaders used to send urgent messages directly. Because the phone was always ready and for emergencies, hot line now means a direct number for immediate help or advice, with hot meaning 'always active' and line meaning the phone connection.