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• above the line
  above the line

  adverb

  line131
• above-the-line
  above-the-line

  adjective

  denoting entries printed above the horizontal line on a company's profit-and-loss account separating the entries that show how the profit (or loss) was made from the entries showing how the profit is to be distributed

above the line

American  

adverb

Bridge.

1. line131

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above-the-line British  

adjective

1. denoting entries printed above the horizontal line on a company's profit-and-loss account separating the entries that show how the profit (or loss) was made from the entries showing how the profit is to be distributed

2. (of an advertising campaign) employing an advertising agency to use the press, television, radio, cinema, and posters

3. (in national accounts) denoting transactions concerned with revenue shown above a horizontal line that separates them from capital transactions Compare below-the-line

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Compare meaning

How does above-the-line compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• above the line vs. below the line

Example Sentences

It also states that "making contact above the line of the shoulders with an opponent is a dangerous play and is prohibited".

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2025

McIlroy was comfortable in saying it was above the line, played short of the green and wound up making double bogey.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 14, 2024

Another result of Mr. Sanders’ proposal would be a reduction in poverty, with some 400,000 families lifted above the line.

From Washington Times • Dec. 19, 2023

“You can see the smog separation just above the line of the mountains,” Hernandez says.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 1, 2023

A long muscle twitched above the line of his jaw as he spoke.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan