along (redirected from be along)

all along the line

at every stage in a process. The project's been plagued with financial problems all along the line. Managerial mistakes were made all the way down the line.

See also: all, line

along the lines of something

similar in type. I can't remember exactly what words he used but it was something along those lines. I was thinking of doing a dinner party along the lines of that meal I cooked for Annie and Dave.

See also: line

along the way

during the time that something is happening or that you are doing something. I've been in this job for thirty years and I've picked up a good deal of expertise along the way. Along the way we'll also be studying French, history and geography.

See also: way

along/on the same lines

in a similar way. We've been thinking along the same lines for a while now.

See also: line, same

be bumping along the bottom (British)

if an economic system is bumping along the bottom, it is working very slowly. With the economy bumping along the bottom, it seems unlikely any new jobs will be created.

See also: bottom, bump

come/go along for the ride

to join in an activity without playing an important part in it. My husband is speaking at the dinner and I'm just going along for the ride.

See also: come, ride

somewhere along the line (informal)

at some point during a period or an activity. I don't know what went wrong with our relationship but somewhere along the line we stopped loving each other.

See also: line, somewhere

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all along

the whole time. Do you think he's been cheating us all along?

See also: all

along for the ride

involved only for the enjoyment of it. My husband is speaking at the dinner and I'm just along for the ride.

Usage notes: often used with go or come: The city council was happy to go along for the ride and do nothing when times were good.

See also: ride

along the line

during the time while something is happening or being done. Somewhere along the line we must have made a few right decisions. All along the line we missed chances to patch up our quarrel.

See also: line

along the lines of something

similar to something. I think my point is very much along the lines of things that I heard Steve and Ana suggest.

See also: line

along the way

while something is happening. Enjoy the concert, but please call me along the way to let me know how you are. I'm new at this parenting thing and I'm bound to make a few mistakes along the way.

See also: way

along those lines

1. of a similar quality or type. I want to buy an SUV or something along those lines.

2. in this way. What evidence do we have that Adams is willing to sign an agreement along these lines?

See also: line, those

along with something

and also something. She keeps her pills in her bag, along with her money and her comb and lipstick and the usual junk.

come along

1. to develop or improve. Thomas is more relaxed and his skills are coming along.

2. to appear or be available. Sometimes an album comes along that just sounds better than anything else you've heard in a long time.

See also: come

get along (with someone)

to have a good relationship. My kids and their cousins really get along with each other.

go along (with someone/something)

to accept something someone else wants. The agreement will make them the highest-paid pilots in the industry, if union members go along. The president has announced a plan to cut taxes, and Congress is likely to go along with it.

play ball (with someone)

play along (with someone/something)

pass along something (to someone)

to give something to someone. Reporters passed along the information as they heard it. If you don't want the book, you can pass it along to someone who does.

Usage notes: also said about something given to younger people: I wanted friends and family to be able to pass along some special memory about my father after his death. Women can also pass the gene along to their children.

See also: pass

play along (with someone/something)

to seem to support or be friendly to someone or something. He knew that if he didn't play along with the reporters, they would write unpleasant stories about him. I don't really like their idea that much but for now, it is probably a good idea simply to play along.

play ball (with someone)

go along (with someone/something)

See also: play

tag along (with someone/something)

to follow or go with a person or group when you were not invited. Do you mind if I tag along? I'd like to see the show at the museum too. We don't want any kids to tag along with us today.

someone will be along

someone is coming. The author will be along soon to autograph copies of her book.