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line

line

3.2
A connection that carries phone or internet signals
  • noun
  • /laɪn/
translation icon : línea telefónica
  • After the storm, we worked hard to restore the line that connects the internet to our office.
  • line of communication
  • telephone line
  • phone line

Yeah, well, we got him on the line here, so.

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Examples

  • The client was on the line to discuss changes to the project timeline.

  • Both approaches have worked well in creating more open and informal lines of communication.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Yeah, well, we got him on the line here, so.

  • Bottom line, I just want you to be happy, baby.

  • If this does open a line of conversation, try the questions in the box.

    Academic text (2012)
  • We have Questlove on the line in the other room.

  • You've got a direct line there.

  • Okay, we've got a caller on line two.

  • The manager emphasized the importance of keeping the line of communication open between departments.

Synonyms

communication
vsline
252 2.3

A way like a road or tunnel that connects places so people and goods can move

is narrower, focusing on one particular means or channel of connection
channel
vsline
230 3.6

An official way to send information

is a more neutral term for any connection or communication method
phone line
vsline
73 1.6

A wire that carries telephone calls between two places

is a broader way to name any communication or connection method
landline
vsline
38 3.3

A phone that uses wires to connect, not a mobile network

is the general term for any channel or connection for exchanging information
13 1.8

A wire that carries voices so people can call each other

is a general means for connecting people or exchanging information
transmission line
vsline
  • Specialized
9 4.1

A cable that carries electricity or data between places

is the everyday idea of a means to connect or pass information
communication channel
vsline
  • Specialized
3 3.4

A way to send information between people, groups, or devices

is broader, naming any means of connection or information exchange
party line
vsline
  • Archaic
3 8.1

A telephone line shared by neighbors who may hear each other's calls

is the general concept of a means for private or public communication
wireline
vsline
  • Specialized
2 7.2

A cable that carries data or phone signals

is a more general communication channel, not only physical cables
telegraph line
vsline
  • Archaic
1 4.5

Wires that carry messages or phone calls over long distances

is the modern, general notion of a channel or connection for information
subscriber line
vsline
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A telephone wire that connects a home or building to the local phone exchange

refers more generally to any means of connection or information exchange
telephone circuit
vsline
  • Specialized
4.0

A connection that carries voice calls between two places

focuses on general connection rather than specific network path details

A phone line customers call for help with products or services

is the general label for any channel used to contact or share information
toll line
vsline
  • US
5.6

A phone connection for long distance calls that costs extra

is the broader idea of any communication route or connection without cost detail

Antonyms

Being separate from people, things, or contact, for example losing internet

Idioms

261 1.1

Standing one behind another waiting to get something

230 4.8

At risk of being lost or harmed because of how something turns out

160 4.5

Behaving in a way that is not acceptable to others

138 3.2

Next to receive something like a job or reward

92 4.4

At some point in the future

to draw the line
  • Informal
82 4.1

Set a clear limit on what you will accept

31 1.0

One after another in a row

At some point while things are happening or changing

30 4.2

While doing your job, especially in police, military, or other official work

over the line
  • Informal
28 8.2

Acting in a way that is too rude or hurtful to others

24 4.6

At some point during a process or series of events

Officially agree to something by writing your name on a document

To set a clear limit that must not be crossed

to toe the line
  • Informal
9 5.4

To do what people in charge expect and follow the rules exactly

to walk the line
  • Informal
5 6.8

Keep a careful balance between different demands and views

3 7.8

To speak honestly and directly, even if it may cause trouble

2 8.4

To take money for yourself in a dishonest way using a job or position

1 7.6

In a position where people may blame or criticize you

To take a big risk to help another person or group

1 6.3

To go past a limit people set and cause serious problems

9.9

A plan or promise that looks real but is weak and will not last

To get money in a dishonest way by using your job or power

8.4

Make things ready in the right order before you need them

Compounds

bottom line
  • Informal
333 3.7

The most important point in a situation

110 3.1

A type of job someone does to earn money

front line
  • Specialized
83 4.1

The area where enemy armies meet and fight

79 1.4

The line at the end of a race that people must cross to finish

73 1.6

A wire that carries telephone calls between two places

68 2.5

A cable that carries electricity from power stations to homes and businesses

58 3.4

A marked line on a football field showing how many yards the ball is from the nearest goal line

55 5.1

A small difference that is hard to see between similar things

49 1.0

A line that does not curve and keeps the same direction

The point when something stops or finishes

assembly line
  • Specialized
39 3.2

A factory system where a product moves past workers who add parts

37 2.1

A border between two states in the same country

party line
  • Literature
37 5.1

Official ideas and rules a political party wants members to follow

line of duty
  • Formal
32 3.4

The work or tasks someone must do as part of their job

29 4.3

The main place where people do the most important and risky work

29 3.5

The last part of a joke that makes people laugh

27 4.2

A line of workers outside a workplace during a strike who stand to protest and stop others entering

bottom line
  • Specialized
26 4.0

The final total showing a company's profit or loss

line of credit
  • Specialized
24 3.1

A plan from a bank that lets you borrow up to a set amount

24 5.1

A firm position that accepts no compromise in politics or talks

23 3.4

A group or system that protects people from danger and loss

red line
  • Literature
23 4.4

A limit in talks that must not be crossed to avoid serious problems

22 2.9

The lowest income needed to meet basic needs in a country

hard-line
  • Literature
21 7.2

Firm and unwilling to change views or plans, often in politics

19 3.2

A group of similar products that a company sells under one brand

19 3.5

A straight view from your eye to an object with nothing blocking it

A set of connected questions asked to explore a topic

18 1.8

A line at the end of a sports field that shows where players score

16 6.2

An invisible line on a football field where teams stand before each play

fault line
  • Specialized
16 4.7

A crack in the ground where the land moves, often causing earthquakes

16 2.8

Tracks and the ground they sit on that form a route for trains

15 2.5

A line of short marks that shows where to sign, write, or cut

fuel line
  • Specialized
15 3.1

A tube that carries fuel from a tank to an engine

15 3.4

A route that brings food, goods, or fuel to a place

production line
  • Specialized
13 3.0

A series of machines and workers in a factory that make a product step by step

A wire that carries voices so people can call each other

line item
  • Specialized
12 3.5

A single entry in a budget or bill that shows how much money it is and what it is for

12 4.2

A hard hit in baseball that flies straight and low

12 2.0

A marked line where people begin a race or game

11 5.3

A situation where someone risks being harmed or strongly criticized

11 2.0

A strong thin string used to catch fish with a hook

line of fire
  • Specialized
11 5.5

The path a bullet or other shot follows after being fired

bass line
  • Specialized
9 3.4

A low rhythm or melody played by bass instruments that gives music its beat and depth

A line that shows the edge of a piece of land and separates it from a neighbor's

A line of people at a government office waiting to get job help or benefit money

gas line
  • Specialized
9 2.6

A pipe that carries natural gas to a home or building

transmission line
  • Specialized
9 4.1

A cable that carries electricity or data between places

trend line
  • Specialized
9 3.5

A straight line on a graph showing the general direction of data points

9 5.1

The highest level on a mountain or near the poles where trees stop growing

A clear border between two ideas, groups, or situations

A set of connected reasons that lead to a conclusion

8 2.8

The first line of a book or article that grabs attention

command line
  • Specialized
8 4.8

A place where you type text commands to control a computer

A type of product or service a company offers

A particular way of thinking about something that a person or group follows

7 1.4

A line of people waiting to pay at a store

7 3.2

The most important railway route used by trains

sewer line
  • Specialized
7 2.5

A pipe that carries dirty water and waste from buildings to a place that cleans it

7 3.0

A mark on a ship or wall that shows how high the water reaches

6 3.0

A line that shows where two counties meet

A product that is the best and most expensive in a range

6 3.7

The largest amount a bank allows you to borrow when needed

6 3.0

A person who trains players on the line in American football

5 5.2

A clear division between people or groups in a conflict

bright line
  • Jargon
5 6.3

A clear, simple rule or limit used to make decisions, often in law

5 3.4

A line that divides a shape into two equal parts

5 3.6

A line of people dancing together while moving around to music

5 3.2

A group of people who are related by birth over many generations

5 2.0

A line made by a fence that shows the edge of a field or property

A series of questions or investigations to find out about something

private line
  • Specialized
5 3.7

A phone line used only by one person or business

three-point line
  • Specialized
5 3.1

An arc on a basketball court where shots score three points

5 1.6

A white stripe painted on a road to mark traffic lanes

How Direct

beeline
11 4.2
line
3.2
channel
230 3.6
link
684 1.4
connection
  • Specialized
60 3.3
network
238 2.8

Surface Forms

line singular
lines plural

Etymology

Line originally meant a thread or wire, and because early telephone and telegraph systems used real wires, a line came to mean a connection for talk or information. So a phone line is a channel that links people.