Line - Idiomatic Expressions

The nouns line, used in idioms in most case has its meanings related - in one way or another - to the ideas of communication or position (both literally and metaphorically speaking).

- a party line: a telephone line which is shared by to or more subscribers.

- to be in / out of line (with): to be in agreement / disagreement (with something).
Your suggestions are out of line with the former proposals.

- to be (next) in line (for something): to be (the next person) due for something.
Who's next in line for promotion in your department?

- to come / fall into line (with somebody): to agree with someone, to accept his opinion.
I'm sure Sue will fall into line with us on this matter when she realizes how serious it is.

- to drop someone a line (inf.): to write to someone.

- to read between the lines: to understand or sense more than the actual words (spoken or written) appear to mean or express.
She didn't tell me directly, but reading between the lines, I think she's going to take the job.

- to shoot a line (inf.): to lie or exaggerate about one's successes, capabilities, etc.

- to take the firm / hard / strong line (with someone) (over/on something): to deal decisively (with someone) (over/on a certain matter).
Some of the employees have produced bad work. The management will have to take a firmer line with them in future.

- all along the line: at every point, in all matter, with everyone.
Since he started wearing contact lenses and washing his hair, he's been a success all along the line.

- to toe the line: to obey orders, submit to discipline.
If Joe doesn't toe the line in future, he'll be dismissed from the team.

- to cross the line: to go beyond accepted standards of behavior. Sometimes, cross a boundary.
His outburst crossed the line between heated argument and offensive vilification.

- down the line: in all ways; thoroughly; fully.
It's a fine house right down the line—well-built, roomy, attractive.

- to draw the line: to impose a restriction; limit.
They might exaggerate but would draw the line at outright lying.

- to go up in one's lines (in theater): to forget one's part during a performance. Also, British, to go up on one's lines.


- along the lines of (on the lines of): roughly similar or in keeping with. This idiom uses line  in the sense of "a direction or procedure".
We told the architect we want a design along the lines of his own house but smaller.
Jane asked the caterer for a menu on the lines of the Morgans' wedding reception.

-  down-the-line
adjective: complete, full, unreserved, or whole-hearted: a down-the-line endorsement.
adverb: fully; completely; whole-heartedly: Will you support it down-the-line?

- to draw a line: reasonably object (to) or set a limit (on)
I draw the line when it comes to lending money to friends!

- to draw the line at: refuse to go any further than. This expression alludes to a line drawn at a stopping point of some kind.
I draw the line at giving them more money.


- end of the line (end of the road): the conclusion or final outcome. This idiom alludes to the point where a road or line stops.
The editorial pointed out that it was the end of the line for the President; he'd never be reelected.
It was obviously the end of the road for this television series.

- to feed someone a line: cue an actor with his or her next line (or lines), or tell someone what to say.
Some contestants become tongue-tied, so someone has to feed them a line.
Eric still has trouble learning a part; he needs someone to feed him his lines .

- to hand someone a line: lead someone on, deceive with glib or exaggerated talk.
He really fed them a line about his important new position.
Don't hand me a line I know exactly how much you paid for it.

- firing line: the forefront of any action or activity, especially a controversy.

- get a line on (have a line on): acquire information about something or someone, come to know.
Sue got a line on some possible tennis partners.
The realtor has a line on a number of vacant apartments.
Similarly, means "provide information about". This idiom uses line  in the sense of "a direct course."
The librarian gave me a line on the books I would need.

- hard line: an uncompromising or unyielding stand, especially in politics; adhering rigidly to a dogma, theory, or plan; uncompromising or unyielding: hard-line union demands.

- to hold the line: to keep a telephone line open.

- hook, line, and sinker (inf.): entirely; completely.
He fell for the story—hook, line, and sinker.

Short - Idiomatic Expressions

Although the adjective short has several different meanings, three of them appear to be the most recurrent, consequently the most important for those who wish to get practical mastery over this rather interesting field of English Language: idioms.
So, basically, short expresses the concepts of insufficiency, brevity and exceptionality (this last one having a reduced presence in the expression with short largely used nowadays).

- a short drink: a strong alcohol drink served in small quantities.

- to be on short time: to work fewer hours or days than usual because the employer has not enough work for the workmen.

- to be short (of something): not to have enough (of something)
of time, money, food...

- to cut something short: to bring something to an end before the proper time.
We had to cut short our discussion because the boss had to go to a meeting somewhere else.

- to fall short (of something): to be inadequate, not enough, disappointing (of hopes, expectations)
His profits for the first year of business have fallen short of his expectations.

- to have a short temper: to become angry easily, frequently and quickly.

- to run short (of something): to come to the end of one's supply (of something).
I've run short of sugar. Could you lend me some?

- for short: as an abbreviation
Katherine is always called 'Kate' for short.

- in short: briefly, in a few words.

- short of: except, apart from
They say he's capable of anything short of murder.

- by the short hairs: under one's complete control. This expression is often used with get or have. It is in effect a euphemism for have someone by the balls, the hairs in question being public hair.
She had her husband by the short hairs.

- caught short: found to be lacking something one needs, especially money. This idiom uses short  in the sense of "lacking money".
Can you pay the check? I seem to be caught short.

- in short supply: less than is needed, lacking.
Skilled operators were in short supply.
The hotels are all full, and beds are in short supply.

- life is too short: do not waste time on unimportant matters or unworthy emotions, such as anger or anxiety. This phrase, possibly echoing the ancient Latin proverb, Ars longa, vita brevis  ("Art is long-lasting, life is short"), is often used to dismiss an unimportant or unworthy concern.
I could get my revenge by snubbing Tom, but life's too short.
Don't spend all day waiting for his call life is too short.

- make a long story short: get to the point. Although the idea of abbreviating a long-winded account is ancient, this precise phrase dates only from the 1800s. Henry David Thoreau played on it in a letter of 1857: "Not that the story need be long, but it will take a long time to make it short."
To make a long story short, they got married and moved to Omaha.

- make short work of: to finish or dispose of quickly.
We made short work of the chocolate layer cake.

- nothing short of: the equivalent of, the same as.
His accusation is nothing short of slander.
This term is slightly stronger than little short of ,  meaning "almost the same as"
Her claim is little short of stupid.

- sell short: contract for the sale of securities or commodities one expects to own at a later date and at a lower price.
Selling short runs the risk of a market rise, forcing one to pay more than one expected.

sell someone short: underestimate the true value or worth of someone.
Don't sell her short; she's a very able lawyer.

- stop (one) short: check abruptly.
When we tried to cross the street, the barrier stopped us short.

Cause someone to stop speaking.
I was about to tell them the date when my father stopped me short.

stop short of: not go so far as to do or say something.
He may embroider the truth but he stops short of actually lying.

- in short order: quickly, without delay.
The children got ready in short order to go to the mall.