39 PHRASE If a machine or piece of equipment comes on line , it starts operating. If it is off line , it is not operating. □ The new machine will go on line in June. □ Every second her equipment was off line cost the company money.
40 PHRASE If you do something on line , you do it using a computer or a computer network. □ They can order their requirements on line. □ …on-line transaction processing.
41 PHRASE If something such as your job, career, or reputation is on the line , you may lose or harm it as a result of what you are doing or of the situation you are in. [INFORMAL ] □ He wouldn't put his career on the line to help a friend.
42 PHRASE If one thing is out of line with another, the first thing is different from the second in a way that was not agreed, planned, or expected. □ [+ with ] …if one set of figures is sharply out of line with a trend.
43 PHRASE If someone steps out of line , they disobey someone or behave in an unacceptable way. □ Any one of my players who steps out of line will be in trouble with me as well. □ You're way out of line, lady.
44 PHRASE If you read between the lines , you understand what someone really means, or what is really happening in a situation, even though it is not said openly. □ Reading between the lines, it seems neither Cole nor Ledley King will be going to Japan.
45 to sign on the dotted line → see dotted
46 to line your pockets → see pocket
47 the line of least resistance → see resistance
48 toe the line → see toe
▸ line up
1 PHRASAL VERB If people line up or if you line them up , they move so that they are standing in a line. □ [V P ] The senior leaders lined up behind him in orderly rows. □ [V n P ] The gym teachers lined us up against the cement walls. □ [V P n] When he came back the sergeant had lined up the suspects.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you line things up , you move them into a straight row. □ [V P n] I would line up my toys on this windowsill and play. □ [V n P ] He finished polishing the cocktail glasses and lined them up behind the bar.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you line one thing up with another, or one thing lines up with another, the first thing is moved into its correct position in relation to the second. You can also say that two things line up , or are lined up . □ [V n P + with ] You have to line the car up with the ones beside you. □ [V P + with ] Gas cookers are adjustable in height to line up with your kitchen work top. □ [V P n] Mahoney had lined up two of the crates. □ [V P ] When the images line up exactly, the projectors should be fixed in place. □ [V -ed P ] All we have to do is to get the two pieces lined up properly.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you line up an event or activity, you arrange for it to happen. If you line someone up for an event or activity, you arrange for them to be available for that event or activity. □ [V P n to-inf] She lined up executives, politicians and educators to serve on the board of directors. □ [V P n] The band is lining up a two-week U.K. tour for the New Year. [Also V n P , V n P to-inf]
5 → see also line-up
lin|eage /l I ni I dʒ/ (lineages ) N‑VAR Someone's lineage is the series of families from which they are directly descended. [FORMAL ] □ They can trace their lineage directly back to the 18th century.
lin|eal /l I niəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] A lineal descendant of a particular person or family is someone in a later generation who is directly related to them. [FORMAL ]
lin|ear /l I niə r /
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A linear process or development is one in which something changes or progresses straight from one stage to another, and has a starting point and an ending point. □ …the linear view of time.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A linear shape or form consists of straight lines. □ …the sharp, linear designs of the Seventies and Eighties.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Linear movement or force occurs in a straight line rather than in a curve.
line|back|er /la I nbækə r / (linebackers ) N‑COUNT In American football, a linebacker is a player who tries to stop members of the other team from scoring by tackling them.
lined /la I nd/
1 ADJ If someone's face or skin is lined , it has lines on it as a result of old age, tiredness, worry, or illness. □ His lined face was that of an old man.
2 ADJ Lined paper has lines printed across it to help you write neatly.
3 → see also line
li ne danc|ing N‑UNCOUNT Line dancing is a style of dancing in which people move across the floor in a line, accompanied by country and western music.
li ne draw|ing (line drawings ) N‑COUNT A line drawing is a drawing which consists only of lines.
li ne man|ag|er (line managers ) N‑COUNT Your line manager is the person at work who is in charge of your department, group, or project. [BRIT , BUSINESS ]
lin|en /l I n I n/ (linens )
1 N‑VAR Linen is a kind of cloth that is made from a plant called flax. It is used for making clothes and things such as tablecloths and sheets. □ …a white linen suit. □ …cottons, woolens, silks and linens.