hard lines
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of hard lines
First recorded in 1815–25
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.
It is a significant shift, a softening of hard lines previously drawn by both sides.
From BBC • Jun. 25, 2025
Giving him a face and a broken heart and Goldstein’s soulfulness asks us to reexamine our own hard lines — and wonder whether they’re protective or binding.
From Salon • Dec. 14, 2024
He said some senators have taken hard lines stances against sports betting or allowing casinos.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 4, 2024
A large flame fueled by a kerosene base burned overhead on the rig’s defunct mast, casting hard lines of shadow across his face.
From Slate • Dec. 16, 2023
“And Latito, one very important thing,” Bull said, the hint of a suppressed smile stealing through the hard lines on his face.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
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.
