all along/down the line
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all along the line
At every step or stage. Mistakes were made all along the line, and that's why the promising new company went out of business so quickly.
down the line
In the future. If you don't do your homework now, it'll be a problem down the line when you don't know the material for the exam. I do want to get married, but down the line, not any time soon.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
all along the line
Also, all the way down the line. At every point, stage, or moment. For example, We've had problems with this supplier all along the line, or He's been very helpful all the way down the line. The line originally referred to a row of troops, but the expression has been used figuratively since the late 1800s. Also see somewhere along the line.
down the line
1. Also, all along the line. All the way, throughout. For example, We've found numerous errors down the line. The first term dates from the mid-1900s, the variant from the second half of the 1800s.
2. Also, down the road. At a future point or end. For example, Somewhere down the road I think he'll be elected to high office. [Second half of 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
down the line
COMMON
1. If something happens down the line, it happens at a later stage of a situation or activity. Whether that will happen further down the line we cannot say. Note: You can talk about something happening a long way down the line when it happens at a much later date. He thought that military action was still a long way down the line. Compare with all the way down the line. Compare with along the line.
2. If you talk about something happening a particular amount of time down the line, you are talking about it happening after that amount of time. About five to six months down the line I got a call from Steve saying he had something for me to work on. Two years down the line things have changed. Compare with down the road.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
all (the way) along (or down) the line
at every point or stage.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
all along/down the ˈline
,right down the ˈline
(informal) completely; at every stage: We’ve had problems with this software all along the line. It was a complete waste of money. ♢ He supported their campaign right down the line.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
all along the line
1. In every place.
2. At every stage or moment.
down the line
1. All the way; throughout: Errors are to be found down the line.
2. At a point or an end in the future.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.