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Synonyms

line drive

American  

noun

Baseball.
  1. a batted ball that travels low, fast, and straight.


Etymology

Origin of line drive

First recorded in 1930–35

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.

A pitcher caught a line drive — or rather, the ball caught him — with his jersey.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

Barger followed with a line drive to left-center that was hit so hard, it got wedged in the wall for a ground-rule double.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025

George Springer's sharp line drive reduced the deficit, but Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto kept the hosts in check, giving up just that one run in six innings pitched.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2025

Ernie Clement singled off reliever Emmet Sheehan to give Toronto the lead for he first time, Sheehan walked in a run, and a line drive from Andres Gimenez made it 5-2.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2025

In the bottom of the ninth, he connected on a long line drive that was still rising as it flew over the center fielder’s head.

From "Eleven" by Tom Rogers

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