dotted line

American  

noun

• dotted lines
  plural

1. a line on a contract or similar document for a party's signature.

2. a line at which a sheet of paper is perforated or a piece of it is to be detached.

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idioms

1. sign on the dotted line, to agree fully to terms or conditions.

2. signature on the dotted line, full agreement to terms and conditions.

dotted line British  

noun

1. a line of dots or dashes on a form or document

2. to agree formally, esp by signing one's name on a document

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• dotted lines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of dotted line

First recorded in 1770–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dotted line

That’s probably overegging the pudding — I’d be surprised if that many attendees signed on the dotted line — but in the end, it’s a numbers game.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026

Tehran has shown interest in finding a nuclear agreement with Washington, which has demanded Iran give up its enriched uranium, but has shown no public signs of imminently signing on the dotted line.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026

Discovery board members who had fretted for weeks that they weren’t sure Ellison would sign on the dotted line, according to two people close to the auction who were not authorized to comment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2026

"You look around first and then you check things out and nothing is certain until you sign on the dotted line," she said.

From BBC ● Feb. 9, 2025

He bent over the map, tracing the dotted line with one finger.

From "Mystery Map (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #3)" by Franklin W. Dixon