all along/down the line

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.

See also: all, line

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.

See also: down, line

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.

See also: all, 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]

See also: down, line

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.

See also: down, line

all (the way) along (or down) the line

at every point or stage.

See also: all, line

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.

See also: all, down, line

all along the line

1. In every place.

2. At every stage or moment.

See also: all, line

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.

See also: down, line