single/Indian file

Indian file

1. noun A line one person or one thing in width; single file. One of many expressions often considered offensive for making reference to Native American stereotypes or tropes. An Indian file of geese—such an unusual flight pattern for the bird—crossed overhead as we traversed the field.

2. adverb In such a line. The students lined up and walked Indian file into the auditorium.

See also: file, Indian

single file

1. noun A line one person or thing in width. A single file of geese—such an unusual flight pattern for the bird—crossed overhead as we traversed the field. I arranged all the figurines in a single file.

2. adverb In such a line. The students lined up and walked single file into the auditorium. Cyclists are reminded to please ride single file on roads to avoid obstructing traffic.

See also: file, single

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

single file

a line of things or people, one person or one thing wide. (See also in single file.) Please get into single file. You have to march single file.

See also: file, single

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

(in) single/Indian ˈfile

in a line, one person after another: The whole class walked along behind the teacher in single file.When American Indians walked in a group, each person walked in the footsteps of the person in front so that they could not be counted by the enemy.

See also: file, Indian, single

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017