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line of credit

line of credit

24 3.1
A plan from a bank that lets you borrow up to a set amount
  • noun
  • /laɪn əv ˈkrɛdɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : línea de crédito
  • The bank approved my application for a line of credit of up to $10,000.
  • line of credit from a bank

I had taken out a, a, a second on my home in terms of a home equity line of credit.

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Examples

  • That's when we can come in and start providing them with a line of credit that lets them grow their business.

  • Now, I'll open up a line of credit for you.

  • It's just your line of credit is rather high and over its limit.

  • What if the bank takes away your home line of credit when you lose your job?

    Blog text (23)
  • Then they can bill their customer, pay off their line of credit after paying all their bills.

  • Who can I speak to about a home equity line of credit?

  • We decided to tap what little was left in a line of credit and do it.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The bank has canceled your line of credit.

  • I think FHA will need a line of credit for at least $50 billion.

    Blog text (8)
  • If a reserve fund is impractical, a bank line of credit may be an alternative.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

credit line
vsline of credit
6 3.7

The largest amount a bank allows you to borrow when needed

is the same arrangement often named differently in contracts
consumer credit
vsline of credit
4 3.3

Money people borrow to buy things for their home or family not for business

is the same borrowing arrangement but not limited to personal contexts
personal line of credit
vsline of credit
  • Specialized
4.8

An agreement with a bank that lets a person borrow money up to a set limit when needed

is the general banking arrangement permitting such flexible borrowing
personal credit line
vsline of credit
3.7

An agreement with a bank that lets a person borrow money up to a set limit when needed

focuses on the same personal borrowing setup rather than business uses
open-end credit
vsline of credit
  • Specialized
6.2

A borrowing plan that lets you borrow up to a set limit and use it again as you repay

is the broader bank arrangement without stressing the reuse feature
bank line
vsline of credit
  • Specialized
4.6

The most money a bank lets a customer borrow for loans or overdrafts

is the flexible consumer borrowing option rather than a general authorization

How Much

business loan
12 2.7
line of credit
  • Specialized
24 3.1
revolving credit
  • Specialized
1 5.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

line + of + credit

The element 'credit' clearly locates the phrase in the financial domain, and a learner can plausibly infer that 'line' here marks an allocated channel or allowance of that credit. However, the sense of 'line' as an available limit/borrowing ceiling is somewhat metaphorical and relies on the collocational pattern 'line of X', so a B1 learner who only knows the literal word senses may not fully predict the exact banking sense without exposure or context.

Etymology

The noun line of credit comes from a simple image: a bank gives you a marked line of credit, a clear 'limit' on the money you may 'borrow'. So it means an agreement that lets you take money up to that set amount when needed.