On the line
volume

Ορισμός και Σημασία του "on the line"

on the line
01

used when someone or something is subjected to a serious threat or danger

IdiomIdiom

What is the origin of the idiom "on the line" and when to use it?

The idiom "on the line" originated from sports, particularly in tennis, where a ball is deemed "in" if it lands on the court boundary lines. Over time, it has evolved into a broader idiom, signifying a situation where something important or at stake is under consideration, decision, or risk. It is often used to describe circumstances where there is potential for consequences, commitments, or outcomes to be determined.

02

used for saying that someone is waiting or talking on a telephone

IdiomIdiom
InformalInformal

What is the origin of the idiom "on the line" and when to use it?

The idiom "on the line" has its origins in the era when telephones were first introduced and widely used. In early telephone systems, the physical connection between callers was established through a pair of electrical wires, which were literally referred to as "lines." When someone was making a telephone call or engaged in a conversation, they were considered to be "on the line" because the connection was created through these wires. Over time, the phrase has evolved to include modern telecommunications systems, and it is now used more broadly to describe someone who is actively engaged in a phone call or waiting for one.

example
Παράδειγμα
The sun will dry out the wet clothes left on the line.
I've been on the line with my friend for an hour, catching up on all the latest news.
The therapist encouraged her patient to lay it on the line and share their innermost thoughts and emotions to make progress in therapy.
I'll put you on the line with our technical support team, and they can help you troubleshoot the issue you're experiencing.
She knew she had to lay it on the line and tell her friend the truth, even though it might hurt their feelings.
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