all the way down the line

all the way down the line

At every step or stage. Mistakes were made all the way down the line, and that's why the promising new company went out of business so quickly. My son is now very sick because his illness was misdiagnosed all the way down the line. We've been trying to start our business, but the bank has been fighting us all the way down the line.

See also: all, down, line, way

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

all the way down the line

If something happens all the way down the line, it happens at every stage of a situation or activity, or it includes all the people or things involved in a situation or activity. The British government has fought for reform all the way down the line. Note: This expression has several variations. For example, you can also say that something happens right down the line or all along the line. Republicans differed right down the line on what should be done. The survey shows support for the President's decision all along the line. Compare with down the line.

See also: all, down, line, way

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012