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.
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.
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]
First recorded in 1895–1900
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Without a partner for back-up, Williams was exposed in the baseline rallies during the opening set, unable and unwilling to race across and meet Joint's exceptional down-the-line winners.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
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 ● Apr. 23, 2023
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 ● Apr. 22, 2023
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 ● Jan. 28, 2023
After Khachanov surged late in the third to make things slightly more intriguing, Ruud broke to lead 2-1 in the fourth, ripping a down-the-line forehand winner from the doubles alley.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 9, 2022
“Investing gives you more options down the line, and the earlier you start, the better,” she said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
While El Nino usually peaks between November and February, the resulting spike in temperatures typically comes later down the line.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
"Eventually down the line we'll have sort of general generic intelligence systems that can be applied to just about anything in the world with minimal training or fine tuning."
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
Those episodes helped draw a blueprint for how the Fed would respond to even bigger shocks down the line, like the 2008–09 financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
As I race down the line, I watch the right fielder run back and back and back as the ball keeps going farther and farther and farther than I’ve ever hit a ball.
From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
