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

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Etymology

Origin of dotted line

First recorded in 1770–75

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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

Vessel tracking information not available for dotted line.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

Discovery board members who had fretted for weeks that they weren’t sure Ellison would sign on the dotted line, according to two people close to the auction who were not authorized to comment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2026

"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

In his wake, in the silent bubbles left by the Frog moving through the water, there was a rippled, dotted line of eerie light glowing up from the water.

From "The Voyage Of The Frog" by Gary Paulsen

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