dotted line

American  

noun

dotted lines plural

1. a line on a contract or similar document for a party's signature.

2. a line at which a sheet of paper is perforated or a piece of it is to be detached.

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idioms

1. sign on the dotted line, to agree fully to terms or conditions.

2. signature on the dotted line, full agreement to terms and conditions.

dotted line British  

noun

1. a line of dots or dashes on a form or document

2. to agree formally, esp by signing one's name on a document

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• dotted lines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of dotted line

First recorded in 1770–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dotted line

That’s probably overegging the pudding — I’d be surprised if that many attendees signed on the dotted line — but in the end, it’s a numbers game.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026

Discovery WBD -2.39%decrease; red down pointing triangle sent a message to Larry Ellison: If you want to buy our company, sign on the dotted line yourself.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 18, 2025

"And I think he doesn't view the industrial action that the union has taken as an invitation to negotiate, but rather as an ultimatum to sign a dotted line that he doesn't want to sign."

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2025

That means, people walk into recruiting offices and sign on the dotted line to potentially serve in combat, risking their lives in the service of the country.

From Salon ● Nov. 12, 2024

Our next important chord is chord IV which I have marked with a dotted line.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall