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give someone line. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
give someone line, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
give someone line in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
give someone line you have here. The definition of the word
give someone line will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
give someone line, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Referring to the use of a fishing line.
Pronunciation
Verb
give someone line (third-person singular simple present gives someone line, present participle giving someone line, simple past gave someone line, past participle given someone line)
- (fishing) To unreel more fishing line so that a hooked fish has more freedom to tire itself out.
1862, Cyril Thornton, Conyers Lea:Give him LINE, boy (as the trout rushed down into the shallows); into the water, boy! the line's nearly run out; it's nowhere up to your knees. Watch him! draw the line up; gently! give him line; give him line—thought so! —I feared so, ' as the line, becoming entangled from drawing it up, snapped, and the fish dashed on blindly into the shallows and stranded.
- (idiomatic, dated) To allow a person more or less liberty until it is convenient to stop or check him/her.