Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to stay on the line

to stay on the line

18 3.0
To remain connected by phone while you wait for help
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : mantenerse en la línea
  • Your call is important to us, so please stay on the line.
  • Please stay on the line
  • Just stay on the line
  • Operator: Stay on the line

Examples

  • Please stay on the line and you'll be connected to the next available representative.

    Ready or Not (2019)

  • Stay on the line with me if you can hear me.

    Deadfall (2012)

  • Sir, I want you to stay on the line for me, okay?

    Terrifier 2 (2022)

  • Please stay on the line.

    Men (2022)

  • Sir, please stay on the line.

    Blood Work (2002)

  • Okay, sir, what I want you to do now is just remain calm and stay on the line with me.

    Terrifier (2018)

  • I'm going to need you to stay on the line while I get that.

    Salvation Boulevard (2011)

  • Your call is important to us, so please stay on the line.

  • Please stay on the line for the next available operator.

  • We can only help you if you stay on the line.

Synonyms

to hold on
vsto stay on the line
  • Informal
∞ 1.3

To wait for a short time during a phone call

is specifically about remaining connected while waiting to continue or be transferred
to hang on
vsto stay on the line
  • Informal
362 3.0

To stay on the phone and wait

is about remaining connected while waiting to continue or be transferred
to hold the line
vsto stay on the line
14 3.7

To wait on the phone without hanging up

focuses on remaining connected while waiting to continue or be transferred

Antonyms

to hang up
405 2.5

End a phone call by putting the phone down

to disconnect
161 3.5

To separate something so it is no longer joined, for example remove a cable or turn off power

How Connected

to stay on the line
18 3.0
to hang up
405 2.5

Surface Forms

stay on the line infinitive
stayed on the line past
stayed on the line past participle
staying on the line present participle
stays on the line third person singular

Morphology

stay + on + the + line

The meaning 'to remain connected on the telephone' is directly derivable from combining 'stay' (to remain) with 'on' (continuation) and 'line' (a communication channel); this verb + prepositional phrase pattern transparently signals staying connected. Equivalent expressions exist in many languages (e.g., Spanish 'quédese en la línea', French 'restez en ligne'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the intended telephone meaning.

Etymology

The phrase stay on the line may come from early telephone days, when the 'line' was a real wire and you had to stay with the receiver on the line while an operator moved your call. So, it now means 'to remain connected on the telephone while you wait'.