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Glite Dictionary
to lay it on the line

to lay it on the line

3 7.8
To speak honestly and directly, even if it may cause trouble
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : hablar claro
  • It's time to lay it on the line and tell her how you really feel.
  • just lay it on the line
  • really laid it on the line
  • lay it on the line here

Examples

Synonyms

to tell the truth
vsto lay it on the line
814 2.7

Say what really happened without hiding facts or lying

is direct but centers on truth rather than blunt delivery or risk
to speak out
vsto lay it on the line
220 3.4

To say your opinion or feelings openly even when it is difficult

is about directness but often focuses on public protest rather than private risk
to speak openly
vsto lay it on the line
7 3.4

Talk honestly without hiding facts or feelings

is direct but often adds strong frankness or personal risk
to get straight to the point
vsto lay it on the line
6 3.5

To speak directly about the main idea without extra details

is direct but often also implies personal honesty or risk
to make no bones about
vsto lay it on the line
6 6.1

Say something openly and directly without hiding it

is similar but often carries more personal risk or consequence
to play it straight
vsto lay it on the line
5 4.2

To act honestly and directly without tricking others

is about speaking directly but here the emphasis is honest behavior rather than speech
to put cards on the table
vsto lay it on the line
3 4.6

To be completely open and honest about your plans or feelings

is about direct speech but focuses more on risking or confessing important matters
to mince no words
vsto lay it on the line
  • Informal
1 7.7

Speak very directly without trying to be polite

is direct but often involves risking something important

Antonyms

to mislead
87 3.9

Make someone believe something that is not true

to sugarcoat
  • Informal
19 5.0

Make something unpleasant seem nicer than it is

How Direct

to lay it on the line
  • Informal
3 7.8
to spell out
79 3.5

Surface Forms

lay it on the line infinitive

Morphology

lay + it + on + the + line

The verb 'lay' (to place) combined with the locative 'on the line' gives a partial clue of putting something out or risking it, so learners can infer a sense of exposing or staking something. However, the specific pragmatic sense 'to speak honestly and directly' is an idiomatic extension of that imagery and is not fully predictable from the parts without prior exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Lay it on the line may come from old gambling, when someone would lay money on the line where everyone could see the bet. Putting money in plain view was a clear risk, so the idea grew to mean 'say something honestly and take a risk'.