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in the line of duty

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in the line of duty

Fig. as part of one's expected duties. When soldiers fight people in a war, it's in the line of duty. Police officers have to do things they may not like in the line of duty.

See also: duty, line, of

in the line of duty

while doing what was expected in a particular job A police officer was killed in the line of duty while chasing a suspect.

Usage notes: mostly used about police and others who do dangerous work

See also: duty, line, of

in the line of duty

if you do something in the line of duty, or if something happens to you in the line of duty, you do it or it happens as a part of your job He was killed in the line of duty.

See also: duty, line, of