down-the-line
adjective
complete, full, unreserved, or whole-hearted.
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down-the-line
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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
adverb
down the line
Idioms
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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.
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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]
Etymology
Origin of down-the-line
First recorded in 1895–1900
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A cross-court pass followed by a down-the-line winner before a Muchova strike took an unfortunate clip off the net cord to float wide.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
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
Originally, it was much more down-the-line slasher piece.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2022
They’re starting with an initial run of around 500 vinyl records, with plans to release the album on CD and cassette later down the line.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Either adding a mudroom to the house or improving an existing one can help sell the home down the line, experts said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026
They, too, are expected to keep interest rates on hold but to flag a risk of hikes further down the line due to rising oil prices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
Cook's comments flagged greater concern over inflation than employment currently, implying that she could support a rate hike down the line.
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
I cleat down the line, rub my hands together, and try again.
From "The Young Man and the Sea" by Rodman Philbrick
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.
