on the line

prepositional phrase

On a level with the eye of the observer, as of a picture hung in on a wall.

“I have John on the line for you.”

Similar
at stakeon the rocks
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Meanings

prepositional phrase
  1. On a level with the eye of the observer, as of a picture hung in on a wall.
  2. figurativelyAt risk, as in a contest or enterprise.

    The survival of the company is on the line with this project.

    3 more examples

    I have a stalker. My life is on the line!

    2007 January 21, Valerie Ahern, Christian McLaughlin, “Come Play wiz Me”, in Desperate Housewives, season 3, spoken by Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria)

    The 40-year-old is happy to put his body on the line in other ways, swapping a mug of tea for a fan’s double pint of lager and messily necking it in one.

    2019 January 26, Kitty Empire, “The Streets review – the agony and ecstasy of a great everyman”, in The Guardian

    War or peace? Dictatorship or democracy? Europe’s future is on the line [title]

    2023 December 13, Timothy Garton Ash, “War or peace? Dictatorship or democracy? Europe’s future is on the line”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

    Synonyms: at stake, on the rocks

  3. Currently calling on the telephone.

    I have John on the line for you.

  4. hobbiesOn one of the lines marked on a playing field or court; (by extension) within bounds.

    The ball was on the line but the umpire ruled it out.

Synonyms & antonyms

prepositional phraseAt risk, as in a contest or enterprise.

Similar
at stakeon the rocks
Also see
at risk

Translations

Finnish linjalla, langan päässä
  • linjallaon the telephone
  • langan päässäon the telephone
  • viivallasports:on a line marked on field or court
  • linjallasports:on a line marked on field or court
French en jeu, en ligne
  • en jeuat risk
  • en ligneon the telephone
German auf dem Spiel, auf der Kippe
  • auf dem Spielat risk
  • auf der Kippeat risk
  • auf Messers Schneideat risk
  • in der Leitungon the telephone
  • an der Strippeon the telephone
  • auf der Liniesports:on a line marked on field or court
Russian на кону, на проводе
  • на кону (na konu)at risk
  • на проводе (na provode)on the telephone
Spanish en juego
  • en juegoat risk
Swedish på spel
  • på spelat risk
Cite this entry
APA

on the line. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/on%20the%20line

MLA

“on the line.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/on%20the%20line. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “on the line,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/on%20the%20line.

Source: on the line on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.