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3. be on the line

be on the line

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be on the line

1. To be in a state of jeopardy or uncertainty. I'm afraid that my scholarship is on the line now that I've been accused of plagiarizing a paper.

2. To be speaking or waiting on the telephone. Mr. Parker, when you're ready, Louise in Sales is on the line. I've been on the line for an hour, and still no one has answered.

See also: line, on

be on the line

if something is on the line, it is in a situation in which it could be lost or harmed I didn't know his job was on the line.

See also: line, on