feed someone a line

Idioms  

1. Also, feed someone lines . Cue an actor with his or her next line (or lines), or tell someone what to say, as in Some contestants become tongue-tied, so someone has to feed them a line , or Eric still has trouble learning a part; he needs someone to feed him his lines .

2. Also, hand someone a line . Lead someone on, deceive with glib or exaggerated talk. For example, He really fed them a line about his important new position , or Don't hand me a line—I know exactly how much you paid for it . [Early 1900s]

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