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• down-the-line
  down-the-line

  adjective

  complete, full, unreserved, or whole-hearted.
• down the line
  down the line

  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.

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

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

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 • Jan. 27, 2023

A running, down-the-line backhand passing shot from Swiatek on the next point made it 2-0 in that set.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 10, 2022

A Williams return dropped just wide when she and Murray led 12-11, but she landed a backhand down-the-line winner to bring up another opportunity to close it out.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2022

Related Words

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