lay (something) on the line
lay (something) on the line
1. To put something at risk in the pursuit of something else. We're putting hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line with this property development, so you had better get it done on time! Our soldiers put their lives on the line every day to defend your freedom, so the least you can do is show them a bit of respect.
2. To speak bluntly and directly. (Phrased exclusively as "lay it on the line.") If you lay it on the line, maybe then they'll be able to understand how serious this situation is. Our soldiers put their lives on the line every day to defend your freedom, so the least you can do is show them a bit of respect.
lay it on the line
To speak bluntly and directly. If you lay it on the line, maybe then they'll be able to understand how serious this situation is.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
lay it on the line
and put it on the lineFig. to make something very clear; to be very definite about something. I am going to lay it on the line and you had better listen to me. If you eat any of these mushrooms, you will die. I've said it before, but this time I'm going to put it on the line. Don't eat the mushrooms!
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
lay on the line
1. Make ready for payment, as in They laid hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line to develop the new software. [c. 1900]
2. lay it on the line. Speak frankly and firmly, make something clear. For example, The professor laid it on the line: either hand in a term paper or fail the course. [c. 1920]
3. Put something at risk, as in The troops sent overseas were laying their lives on the line. [Mid-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.
lay it on the line
ornot your line of country
BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONEDIf something is not your line of country, it is not a subject that you know much about, or one in which you are very interested. I am rather ignorant on this matter — it is not quite my line of country.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
lay (or put) it on the line
speak frankly.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
lay it on the ˈline
(informal) tell somebody something in an honest, direct and forceful way: She laid it on the line, telling us that we would fail the exam unless we worked harder.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
lay it on the line
tv. to speak very frankly and directly. I’m going to have to lay it on the line with you, I guess.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.