down-the-line

American  

[doun-thuh-lahyn] / ˈdaʊn ðəˈlaɪn /

adjective

1. complete, full, unreserved, or whole-hearted.

   a down-the-line endorsement.

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adverb

1. whole-heartedly; fully; completely.

   Will you support it down-the-line?

down the line Idioms  

1. Also, all along the line . All the way, throughout. For example, We've found numerous errors down the line . The first term dates from the mid-1900s, the variant from the second half of the 1800s.

2. Also, down the road . At a future point or end. For example, Somewhere down the road I think he'll be elected to high office . [Second half of 1900s]

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Etymology

Origin of down-the-line

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

After smacking a one-handed down-the-line backhand winner that finished with the flourish of a flowing follow-through, giving him a break for a 4-3 edge in the fifth set, Eubanks held his right index finger to his ear, seeking more noise.

From Washington Times

The fact that gender representation in Judy's books is pretty binary, down-the-line binary as our sex educator Rachel Lotus says in the film.

From Salon

Martinez leading the inning off with a down-the-line double before advancing to third on a grounder from Jason Heyward.

From Los Angeles Times

Then, when Sabalenka grooved a down-the-line backhand passing winner to grab her first break and pull even at 4-all, she looked at Dubrov and Stacy in the stands, raised a fist and shouted.

From Washington Times

And again at 5-3, when Paul walloped a down-the-line forehand and Djokovic’s backhand on a 29-stroke point landed out.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• eventual
• forthcoming
• imminent
• impending
• planned
• prospective
• subsequent
• ultimate