on the line: meaning and explanation
If something is on the line, then it is at risk. This idiom can be used in any situation when something could be lost or harmed. Your health could be on the line, your home, your career, your marriage, even your life.
This idiom can be used with the verb 'put' when talking about the action of risking something. e.g. If you want to be a firefighter, then you have to be prepared to put your life on the line on a daily basis.
Have a go at these micro-dictation exercises to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?
Listening exercises
Dictation #1
Accent: North America
About the sentence
...Paul's under a lot of pressure to close this deal...
Notice the expression under pressure - this is a very useful collocation to use when describing a situation where you experience pressure or stress. e.g. I'm under pressure to work this Saturday, but I really don't want to.
The expression to close a deal is used to say that a business negotiation has been successfully concluded and a deal has been agreed. e.g. We made them a very good offer for the car, but unfortunately we couldn't close the deal.
Dictation #2
Accent: North America
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Dictation #3
Accent: England (RP)
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Extra practice
Here are some questions/links to help you learn the new vocabulary:
- Can you remember a time when your job was on the line?
- Would you ever consider working in a profession where you had to put your life on the line?
Photo by Leio McLaren (@leiomclaren) on Unsplash
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