{ "term": "line", "partOfSpeech": "noun", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "a1", "image": "data/images/li/lines.png", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "a long, thin mark on a surface", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "a **straight/solid/dotted/dashed line**" }, { "text": "a wavy/diagonal line" }, { "text": "a vertical/horizontal line" }, { "text": "parallel lines" }, { "text": "**Draw a** thick black **line** across the page." }, { "text": "He wrote the title and drew a line under it." }, { "text": "She could draw a perfectly straight line." }, { "text": "He created his first strictly geometrical work, using only straight lines and circles." }, { "text": "a faint white line" }, { "text": "This is indicated in sheet music by a long wavy line connecting the two staves." }, { "text": "The contour lines represent points of equal elevation." }, { "text": "The mural has white diagonal lines criss-crossing in all directions." }, { "text": "Red lines denote security updates and blue lines denote recommended updates." }, { "text": "a pattern of parallel wavy lines" }, { "text": "Draw a chalk line on the container to record the level." }, { "text": "He traces a line in white paint along the wall." }, { "text": "The road has a double yellow line painted on the side indicating that you cannot park." }, { "text": "A red line marks where the wall stood." }, { "text": "The pencil line connects one box to another." }, { "text": "The watercolour strokes and the pencil lines run in the same direction." }, { "text": "She draws the paint out into thin, spidery lines." }, { "text": "The work shows thin black parallel lines crossing a field of white." }, { "text": "Dark areas are shaded with thin lines." }, { "text": "Why is there that faint vertical line on the screen?" }, { "text": "Yellowish spots form a line down the middle of the caterpillar's back." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["long", "short", "thick"], "verb + line": ["draw", "mark"], "line + verb": ["run", "divide something", "separate something"], "preposition": ["in a line"], "phrases": ["a line of latitude", "a line of longitude"] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "a long, thin mark on the ground to show the limit or border of something, especially of a playing area in some sports", "sensetop": "over/across the linebehind the line", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The first to **cross the line** wins the race." }, { "text": "She crossed the centre line and hit an oncoming truck." }, { "text": "The ball was over the line.", "contextForm": "over/across the line" }, { "text": "Your feet must be behind the line when you serve *(= in tennis)*.", "contextForm": "behind the line" }, { "text": "The ball was called out but a replay showed it was right on the line." }, { "text": "A goal was given but I don't think the ball crossed the line." }, { "text": "He moved the ball quickly along the line and scored." }, { "text": "They are good at passing the ball down the line." }, { "text": "She stood in the middle of an empty football pitch, on the centre line." }, { "text": "It was a photo finish, with three cyclists appearing to cross the line simultaneously." }, { "text": "It's a country lane with no lines." } ], "topics": ["Sports: ball and racket sports"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["long", "short", "thick"], "verb + line": ["draw", "mark"], "line + verb": ["run", "divide something", "separate something"], "preposition": ["in a line"], "phrases": ["a line of latitude", "a line of longitude"] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "a mark like a line on somebody’s skin that people usually get as they get older", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "He has **fine lines** around his eyes." }, { "text": "Deep worry lines had appeared on her forehead." }, { "text": "I saw the faint lines of concern etched into his brow." }, { "text": "a cream that improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles" }, { "text": "I'm starting to get lines around my mouth." }, { "text": "The camera focuses on the wrinkled laughter lines around the man's eyes." }, { "text": "The bright light shows all the lines on your face." }, { "text": "a slim face with deep lines on either side of the mouth" }, { "text": "She says she doesn't frown because it gives you lines." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["worry", "deep", "faint"], "verb + line": ["have"], "line + verb": ["run", "appear"] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "a row of people or things next to each other or behind each other", "sensetop": "in a lineline of something", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "They formed a line and marched forward." }, { "text": "The children all stood in a line.", "contextForm": "in a line" }, { "text": "They were stuck in a line of traffic.", "contextForm": "line of something" }, { "text": "a **straight/long line** of trees" }, { "text": "Make sure the posts are planted in a straight line." }, { "text": "There were three bins in a line." }, { "text": "They were all walking along the lane in a line." }, { "text": "grasses are planted at regular intervals in long diagonal lines" }, { "text": "A line of cars stretched as far as the eye could see." }, { "text": "There was a long line of lorries on the A40." }, { "text": "A line of dancers stood on stage kicking their legs." }, { "text": "A line of trees was sillhouetted against the sky." }, { "text": "A line of mounted police stopped protesters." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["long", "short", "new"], "verb + line": ["form"], "preposition": ["in a/​the line", "on a/​the line"] } }, { "senseNumber": 5, "definition": "a queue of people", "sensetop": "in lineline for something", "labels": "(North American English)", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "A line formed at each teller window." }, { "text": "to **stand/wait in line**", "contextForm": "in line" }, { "text": "If you want a ticket, **get in line**." }, { "text": "There's a line for the women's bathroom.", "contextForm": "line for something" }, { "text": "They have to stand in line for groceries." }, { "text": "The lunch line was long as usual." }, { "text": "You'll have to wait in line like everybody else." }, { "text": "people standing in line at the bank" }, { "text": "How many hours each week do you spend waiting in line for coffee?" }, { "text": "‘Get back in line!’ the teacher snarled." }, { "text": "He was sent to the back of the line." }, { "text": "I joined the line and prepared for a long wait." }, { "text": "supermarket checkout lines" }, { "text": "The lines stretched around the block." }, { "text": "There was a long line at the post office." }, { "text": "If there's a line for the women's room, I go in the men's." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["long", "short", "checkout"], "verb + line": ["form"], "preposition": ["in line"] } }, { "senseNumber": 6, "definition": "a phone connection; a particular phone number", "sensetop": "on the line", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The **phone lines** were jammed *(= very busy)* with people calling to complain." }, { "text": "I tried to call but the line was busy." }, { "text": "I was talking to John when the **line** suddenly **went dead**." }, { "text": "**Lines are open** from 7.30 am until midnight seven days a week." }, { "text": "If you **hold the line** *(= stay on the phone and wait)*, I'll see if she is available." }, { "text": "It's your mother on the line.", "contextForm": "on the line" }, { "text": "Your bill includes **line rental**." }, { "text": "He kept shouting down the line at me." }, { "text": "Please stay on the line until one of our customer service operatives becomes available." }, { "text": "She didn't know that he was on the line listening to the call." }, { "text": "Speak up—it's rather a bad line." }, { "text": "What do I dial for an outside line?" }, { "text": "At that time you needed a phone line to connect with the internet." }, { "text": "The toll-free phone line is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m." }, { "text": "The panic room has its own ventilation system and telephone line." }, { "text": "He gave me the number of his private line." }, { "text": "I don't use this line for personal calls." }, { "text": "You can call me back on this line." }, { "text": "‘Bye,’ he said and the line went dead." }, { "text": "Lines are now open and viewers can vote by calling 090 77 77 77." }, { "text": "Throughout the evening the phone lines will be open for listeners to share their memories." }, { "text": "Whenever I try to ring the doctor's the lines are all engaged." }, { "text": "They said they tried to call you, but your line was busy." } ], "topics": ["Phones, email and the internet"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["direct", "trunk", "power"], "verb + line": ["hold"], "line + verb": ["be busy", "be engaged", "be dead"], "preposition": ["down the line", "on the line", "on line"] } }, { "senseNumber": 7, "definition": "a railway track or other transport route; a section of a transport system or route", "sensetop": "on a line", "labels": "(British English also)", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The train was delayed because a tree had fallen across the line." }, { "text": "a **rail line**" }, { "text": "a **railway line**" }, { "text": "the East Coast line" }, { "text": "We got off the bus near **the end of the line** at San Gerardo." }, { "text": "Various tram lines are currently experiencng severe delays." }, { "text": "We live on the Northern Line.", "contextForm": "on a line" }, { "text": "The restaurant has an unpromising site beside a railway line." }, { "text": "Trains were cancelled because of leaves on the line." }, { "text": "They built a high-speed rail line linking the two cities." }, { "text": "The new line would link Clapham Junction in south-west London with Dalston in the north-east of the city." }, { "text": "There are two railroad lines running next to the French Quarter." }, { "text": "He became a successful stagecoach operator, establishing lines between Boston, Massachusetts and Albany, New York." }, { "text": "You have to get off the bus here—it's the end of the line." }, { "text": "the little village of Jicotea, at the end of the bus line" }, { "text": "The branch line is threatened with closure." } ], "topics": ["Transport by bus and train"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["rail", "railway", "train"], "verb + line": ["take"], "preposition": ["on a/​the line"], "phrases": ["the end of the line"] } }, { "senseNumber": 8, "definition": "the direction that somebody/something is moving or located in", "sensetop": "in a lineline of something", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "Just keep going in a **straight line**.", "contextForm": "in a line" }, { "text": "The town is in a direct line between London and the coast." }, { "text": "Be careful to stay out of the **line of fire** *(= the direction somebody is shooting in)*.", "contextForm": "line of something" }, { "text": "They **followed the line** of the river for three miles." }, { "text": "He couldn't even walk in a straight line." }, { "text": "The surveyors moved across the country, through forests, up mountains, and down ravines, but always travelling in straight lines." }, { "text": "The wall follows the line of the mountain range." }, { "text": "We could have gone in a more direct line to Denver." }, { "text": "It's three miles along the road, although only a mile and a half away in a direct line." }, { "text": "The kitchen garden runs along the line of the building's south facing terrace." }, { "text": "If you follow the line of my finger, you can see the building there on the hillside." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 9, "definition": "a route from one place to another especially when it is used for a particular purpose", "examples": [ { "text": "Their aim was to block guerrilla **supply lines**." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 10, "definition": "a row of words on a page or the empty space where they can be written; the words of a song or poem or other piece of writing", "cefr": "a1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "Look at line 5 of the text." }, { "text": "Write the title of your essay on the top line." }, { "text": "I can only remember the first two lines of that song." }, { "text": "She quoted a few lines of Shakespeare." }, { "text": "A team of programmers wrote 200 000 **lines of code** *(= computer programming language)*." }, { "text": "Avoid a **line break** *(= starting a new line)* in the middle of a word." }, { "text": "Start each paragraph on a new line." }, { "text": "There should be a full stop at the end of the line." }, { "text": "He asked me to sing the opening lines of Tosti's ‘In the hush of the night’." }, { "text": "Each picture is accompanied by a short line of text." }, { "text": "As soon as I read those lines I knew this was a writer I would love." }, { "text": "The story's first line reads, ‘There were once two little girls who saw, or believed they saw, a thing in a forest.’" }, { "text": "He pointed to a line in the book he was holding." }, { "text": "Each line of the poem has five stressed syllables." }, { "text": "A sonnet usually has fourteen lines." }, { "text": "The first letter of each line forms a word." }, { "text": "The poet was very particular about the font, punctuation, and line spacing of his poems." } ], "topics": ["Literature and writing"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["long", "short", "new"], "verb + line": ["form"], "preposition": ["in a/​the line", "on a/​the line"] } }, { "senseNumber": 11, "definition": "the words spoken by an actor in a play or film", "sensetop": "line from something", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "to learn your lines" }, { "text": "I keep forgetting my lines." }, { "text": "The way she **delivers the line** is hilarious." }, { "text": "He quoted a line from the film ‘Casablanca’.", "contextForm": "line from something" }, { "text": "He delivers his lines in a flat, uninflected way." }, { "text": "In a musical, actors often sing their lines." }, { "text": "In the audition you will be asked to read a few lines." }, { "text": "She is obviously reading lines from a script." }, { "text": "He read his lines in a monotone." }, { "text": "The film includes some great lines." }, { "text": "an unoriginal plot enlivened by a few good lines of dialogue" }, { "text": "That's when he utters the memorable line ‘Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.’" }, { "text": "She started coughing in the middle of the line." }, { "text": "It was a small part with few lines." }, { "text": "Actors always want more lines." } ], "topics": ["Film and theatre"], "collocations": { "verb + lines": ["learn", "practise/​practice", "recite"] } }, { "senseNumber": 12, "definition": "a punishment in which a child has to write out a particular sentence a number of times", "labels": "(British English)", "examples": [ { "text": "The teacher gave me 100 lines." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 13, "definition": "a remark, especially when somebody says it to achieve a particular purpose", "labels": "(informal)(British English)", "examples": [ { "text": "Don't give me that line about having to work late again." }, { "text": "That's the worst **chat-up line** I've ever heard." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 14, "definition": "a long piece of rope, string, etc., especially when it is used for a particular purpose", "sensetop": "on the line", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "They dropped the sails and threw a line to a man on the dock." }, { "text": "Towels were hanging on the line *(= clothes line)*.", "contextForm": "on the line" }, { "text": "He had a fish on his line." }, { "text": "150 feet of nylon line" }, { "text": "Get the clothes off the line." }, { "text": "When he reeled in his line, there was nothing on the end of it." }, { "text": "An anchor was dropped over the side on almost 1 000 feet of anchor line." }, { "text": "The fish immediately pulled out about 20 yards of line." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 15, "definition": "a pipe or thick wire that carries water, gas or electricity from one place to another", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "water/gas/sewage lines" }, { "text": "Telephone lines were brought down in the storm." }, { "text": "There were two fuel lines coming into the engine." }, { "text": "The telegraph lines connecting the two cities had been cut." }, { "text": "a series of posts which were linked to one another by telegraph lines" }, { "text": "They made plans for new sewage lines and roads." }, { "text": "The infrastructure, including sewage pipes and water lines, is in bad shape." }, { "text": "The storm has cut off electricity lines and blocked roads." }, { "text": "Excavations for driveways, gas lines or other utilities may have caused root damage." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["direct", "trunk", "power"], "verb + line": ["hold"], "line + verb": ["be busy", "be engaged", "be dead"], "preposition": ["down the line", "on the line", "on line"] } }, { "senseNumber": 16, "definition": "an imaginary limit or border between one place or thing and another", "sensetop": "across a line", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "a district line" }, { "text": "lines of longitude and latitude" }, { "text": "She drove from her home in Garfield County across the line into Mesa County.", "contextForm": "across a line" }, { "text": "He remembers the first time he crossed the line into Iraq." }, { "text": "the boundary line between two countries" }, { "text": "We must end this separation of rich and poor across school district lines." }, { "text": "Computer databases are being used to redraw electoral district lines." }, { "text": "The Civil War was a moment when the various lines dividing the country were contested." }, { "text": "The Equator is an imaginary line encircling the globe." }, { "text": "When they talk about North and South, they are referring to an imaginary line from Dublin to Galway." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 17, "definition": "the division between one area of thought or behaviour and another or between one group of people and another", "sensetop": "line between A and B", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "Mass consumption **blurred the lines** of class distinction." }, { "text": "We want to cut across lines of race, sex and religion." }, { "text": "Music offers a way to **cross** cultural **lines**." }, { "text": "There is a **fine line** between informing the public and alarming them.", "contextForm": "line between A and B" }, { "text": "There's a fine line between showing interest in what someone is doing and interfering in it." }, { "text": "With this film he crosses the line into straightforward commercialism." }, { "text": "Government is damaged when the line separating church and state is crossed." }, { "text": "This architecture is about blurring the lines between nature and the built environment." }, { "text": "Her work plays with stereotypes, blurring lines of sex and gender." }, { "text": "British figurative artist Gary Benfield straddles the line between drawing and painting." }, { "text": "Some of the performances fail to straddle the fine line between understatement and dullness." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 18, "definition": "an attitude or a belief, especially one that somebody states publicly", "sensetop": "line on something", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The company line is that discrimination in any form is not tolerated." }, { "text": "He supported the official line on education.", "contextForm": "line on something" }, { "text": "The government is taking a firm line on terrorism." }, { "text": "There's been a hardening of lines on both sides (= both sides have developed stricter or more fixed attitudes)." }, { "text": "A senior intelligence officer contradicted the government's official line." }, { "text": "Newsreaders just repeat the government line." }, { "text": "They are expected to unquestioningly support the management line." }, { "text": "His speech cast aside the Foreign Office line on the issue." }, { "text": "I tend to take the line that you should wear what you feel comfortable in and not worry about what other people think." }, { "text": "The administration has taken a line that is basically contrary to its own principles." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["broad", "firm", "hard"], "verb + line": ["adopt", "follow", "pursue"], "preposition": ["in line with", "out of line with", "line on"], "phrases": [ "a line of argument", "a line of reasoning", "a line of attack" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 19, "definition": "a method or way of doing or thinking about something", "sensetop": "line of something", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "His research **follows** quite different **lines**." }, { "text": "I don't follow your **line of reasoning**.", "contextForm": "line of something" }, { "text": "a **line of thought/thinking**" }, { "text": "She decided to try a different **line of argument** *(= way of persuading somebody of something)*." }, { "text": "somebody’s first **line of attack/defence**" }, { "text": "The police are pursuing a new **line of inquiry** *(= way of finding out information)*." }, { "text": "This line of thought perturbs me." }, { "text": "His line of thinking seems to be that the food industry is fraudulently promoting addictive, unhealthy foods as healthy." }, { "text": "We know that intelligence is our first line of defence against terrorism." }, { "text": "Our approach involves two main lines of attack." }, { "text": "This line of questioning seemed to be getting us nowhere." }, { "text": "One line of research focuses on gender." }, { "text": "We are pursuing several lines of investigation." }, { "text": "The broad lines of company policy are already laid down." }, { "text": "Multiple lines of evidence were all leading to the same conclusion." }, { "text": "Keep your lines of communication open." }, { "text": "The plot runs along predictable lines." }, { "text": "Other writers followed similar lines in discussing this theorem." }, { "text": "It's pointless to pursue that line any further." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["broad", "firm", "hard"], "verb + line": ["adopt", "follow", "pursue"], "preposition": ["in line with", "out of line with", "line on"], "phrases": [ "a line of argument", "a line of reasoning", "a line of attack" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 20, "definition": "a series of people, things or events that follow one another in time", "sensetop": "line of somethingline (from somebody/something) (to somebody/something)", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "to pass something down through the male/female line" }, { "text": "She came from **a long line of** doctors.", "contextForm": "line of something" }, { "text": "This novel is the latest in a long line of thrillers that he has written." }, { "text": "That was the first in a whole line of mistakes and bad decisions." }, { "text": "The book traces a historical line from Beethoven to the present day.", "contextForm": "line (from somebody/something) (to somebody/something)" }, { "text": "The film traces a line of events from their first meeting through to their tragic separation and death." }, { "text": "We can trace a line of such thinking from Voltaire." }, { "text": "His work is in a direct line from that of John Cassavetes." }, { "text": "I do not accept the claim that there is a direct line from Nietzsche via Heidegger to Nazism." }, { "text": "Mitochondrial DNA makes it possible to trace the maternal line." }, { "text": "The mutation gets passed down the ancestral line." }, { "text": "This is pop that can trace its line all the way back to the Beatles." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 21, "definition": "a series of people in order of importance", "sensetop": "line of somethingdown the line (from somebody/something)in line (to somebody/something)", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "a line of command", "contextForm": "line of something" }, { "text": "There is some benefit to having a clear line of authority." }, { "text": "Orders came down the line from the very top.", "contextForm": "down the line (from somebody/something)" }, { "text": "He is second in line to the chairman.", "contextForm": "in line (to somebody/something)" }, { "text": "to be **next in line** to the throne" }, { "text": "You have to report them to a higher authority, someone further up the line." }, { "text": "They undermined old lines of authority." }, { "text": "He resigned and the next in the line of succession became president." }, { "text": "There was nostalgia for the traditional dynastic line of succession." }, { "text": "Prince George is currently third in line to the throne." }, { "text": "She is next in line for a promotion." }, { "text": "I was the heir; I was next in line." }, { "text": "She was first in line to succeed her father." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 22, "definition": "the edge, outline or shape of somebody/something", "cefr": "a1", "examples": [ { "text": "He traced the line of her jaw with his finger." }, { "text": "a beautiful sports car with sleek lines" }, { "text": "I prefer simple lines in skirts and trousers." } ], "topics": ["Colours and Shapes"] }, { "senseNumber": 23, "definition": "a system of making something, in which the product moves from one worker to the next until it is finished", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": 24, "definition": "a type or area of business, activity or interest", "sensetop": "line of somethingin the… line", "examples": [ { "text": "My **line of work** pays pretty well.", "contextForm": "line of something" }, { "text": "What line of business are they in?" }, { "text": "You can't do much in the art line without training.", "contextForm": "in the… line" } ] }, { "senseNumber": 25, "definition": "a type of product", "sensetop": "line in something", "examples": [ { "text": "Some lines sell better than others." }, { "text": "new **product lines**" }, { "text": "We are starting a new line in casual clothes.", "contextForm": "line in something" } ] }, { "senseNumber": 26, "definition": "a company that provides transport for people or goods", "examples": [ { "text": "a shipping/bus line" }, { "text": "the White Star Line" } ] }, { "senseNumber": 27, "definition": "a row or series of military defences where the soldiers are fighting during a war", "examples": [ { "text": "They were trapped **behind enemy lines** *(= in the area controlled by the enemy)*." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["battle", "defensive", "firing"], "phrases": [ "behind enemy lines", "in the front line", "on the front line" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 28, "definition": "an amount of cocaine that is spread out in a thin line, ready to take", "labels": "(slang)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "connected with the income that a company receives and the costs it has to pay in its daily business, which affect the profit it makes", "labels": "(finance)", "cefr": "c2", "examples": [ { "text": "All these costs are above the line and directly hit profits." } ], "topics": ["Money"] }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "connected with advertising in the mass media", "labels": "(business)", "cefr": "c2", "examples": [ { "text": "They planned an advertising campaign with both above-the-line and social media components." } ], "topics": ["Business"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "at some point during an activity or a process", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "Somewhere along the line a large amount of money went missing." }, { "text": "We'll make a decision on that further down the line." }, { "text": "The muddle seems to have happened further down the line." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "in the way that is mentioned", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "The new system will operate **along the same lines** as the old one." }, { "text": "They voted along class lines." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "similar to the way or thing that is mentioned", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "Those aren't his exact words, but he said something along those lines." }, { "text": "The hotel was built along the lines of a French chateau." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used to say that people or groups have shown which side they intend to support in an argument or contest that is going to begin", "examples": [], "topics": ["Opinion and argument"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to be working or functioning", "examples": [ { "text": "The new working methods will come on line in June." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "to be in a position where you can be shot at", "examples": [ { "text": "attempts to prevent civilians from being in the firing line" } ] }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "to be in a position where people can criticize or blame you", "examples": [ { "text": "The employment secretary found himself in the firing line over recent job cuts." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "connected with unusual costs or income that a company pays or receives, that are not part of its daily business and are taken away or added after calculating profits", "labels": "(finance)", "cefr": "c2", "examples": [ { "text": "There was a £4 million extraordinary charge below the line." } ], "topics": ["Money"] }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "connected with advertising by means of direct mail, email, social media, events, etc.", "labels": "(business)", "cefr": "c2", "examples": [ { "text": "We are planning social networking, digital marketing and below-the-line activities across the country." } ], "topics": ["Business"] }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "connected with a section at the end of an online article or blog post where readers can put comments", "examples": [ { "text": "There were numerous comments below the line." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to behave or make somebody/something behave in the same way as other people or how they should behave", "examples": [ { "text": "The other members of the board must be brought into line." }, { "text": "The actions of investors do not always fall into line with financial theory." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to do something that is not considered to be acceptable behaviour", "examples": [ { "text": "He crossed the line by making details of their very private conversation public." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to go to the front of a line of people without waiting for your turn", "examples": [ { "text": "Somebody cut in line in front of me." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to say that something is finished and not worth discussing any more", "labels": "(British English)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "(to reach) the point at which something can no longer continue in the same way", "examples": [ { "text": "A defeat in the second round marked the end of the line for last year's champion." }, { "text": "The loss of this contract could signal the end of the line for the shipyard." }, { "text": "This latest disagreement could mean the end of the road for the band." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "strong control or discipline", "examples": [ { "text": "Some children need a firm hand to make them behave." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "completely", "examples": [ { "text": "What I said was not true, but he fell for it *(= believed it)* hook, line and sinker." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "in a position that forms a straight line with something", "examples": [ { "text": "An eclipse happens when the earth and moon are in line with the sun." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "likely to get something", "examples": [ { "text": "She is in line for promotion." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "while doing a job", "examples": [ { "text": "A police officer was injured in the line of duty yesterday." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "similar to something or so that one thing is closely connected with another", "examples": [ { "text": "Annual pay increases will be in line with inflation." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to tell somebody clearly what you think, especially when they will not like what you say", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "The manager laid it on the line—some people would have to lose their jobs." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "(to establish) a clear limit to what you will do or accept", "examples": [ { "text": "It’s time to draw a line in the sand and stop allowing workplace bullying to continue." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "(to choose, etc.) the easiest way of doing something", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "at risk", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "If we don't make a profit, my job is on the line." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "not forming a straight line", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "different from something", "examples": [ { "text": "London prices are way out of line with the rest of the country." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "behaving in a way that is not acceptable or right", "labels": "British English also(informal)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to behave in a way that people think is not acceptable", "examples": [ { "text": "She realized she had overstepped the mark and quickly apologized." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to tell somebody a story or make an excuse that is not true", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to look for or discover a meaning in something that is not openly stated", "examples": [ { "text": "Reading between the lines, I think Clare needs money." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to sign a document to show that you have agreed to buy something or do something", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "Just sign on the dotted line and the car is yours." } ], "topics": ["Discussion and agreement"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to behave badly or break the rules", "examples": [ { "text": "His boss warned him that if he stepped out of line once more he would be fired." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to say or do what somebody in authority tells you to say or do, even if you do not share the same opinions, etc.", "examples": [ { "text": "One or two of them refused to toe the line." }, { "text": "MPs rarely fail to toe the party line." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to be in a difficult or dangerous situation where you could easily make a mistake", "examples": [ { "text": "He was walking a fine line between being funny and being rude." }, { "text": "She often seems to tread a thin line between success and failure." }, { "text": "His comedy treads the line between shocking and sickening." }, { "text": "We have to walk a fine line to make sure we don't promote one brand more than another." }, { "text": "His buildings walk the thin line between visionary and completely ridiculous." } ] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/laɪn/", "audio": "li/line/line__gb_1.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/laɪn/", "audio": "li/line/line__us_1.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "noun Old English līne ‘rope, series’, probably of Germanic origin, from Latin linea (fibra) ‘flax (fibre)’, from Latin linum ‘flax’, reinforced in Middle English by Old French ligne, based on Latin linea." }