Get in line

'I don't know anything about music. In my line, you don't have to.' Elvis Presley (1935-1977)

In my line

Elvis was using the word 'line' to mean 'job' when he gave his famous comment about the pop music industry.

What sort of 'lines' are these?

1 a hard line

a. very strictly sticking to policy or opinions

b. a line drawn under the title of something

2 the plot line

a. the back page of a newspaper

b. the story of a film, play or novel

3 the bottom line

a. the most important fact in a situation

b. the final section of a story

4 a line manager

a. the person in charge of a shopping mall

b. someone who is your immediate boss

5 the punchline

a. the final line of a joke

b. the first few words of a song

6 an assembly line

a. a queue of people waiting to get into a sale

b. a line of machines and workers in a factory manufacturing a product

Which noun?

Complete these sentences by choosing the correct words in brackets.

1 (The bottom line / the punchline) is that I need at least another week to complete this project.

2 Henry Ford was the first man to introduce (the line manager / the assembly line) in factories in America.

3 Tell Mark the joke you told me last night. It's got a hilarious (bottom line / punchline).

4 My (assembly line / line manager) is Mr Chan and he's very understanding and helpful.

5 The (plot line / punchline) of that film is really difficult to follow. It's much too complicated.

6 I will have to take (a hard line / the assembly line) with her if she continues to come in late.

Don't put your neck on the line

How would you use these phrasal verbs?

1 to put your neck on the line

a. to put yourself at great risk

b. to change your mind about somebody

2 to fall for something hook, line and sinker

a. to completely believe something someone tells you that is not true

b. to waste a lot of money on something that was not worth it

3 to sign on the dotted line

a. to officially sign a document

b. to refuse to do something

4 to be in the firing line

a. to get a promotion at work

b. to be in a position when you can be criticised or get into trouble

Snippets

Complete these snippets of dialogue by choosing the correct words in brackets.

1 That's all the paperwork done. Can you now please (put your neck on the line / sign on the dotted line)?

2 I fell for his lies (in the firing line/ hook, line and sinker). I will never trust that man again.

3 Don't (put your neck on the line / sign on the dotted line) by telling the boss what you know. Just keep quiet.

4 You will find yourself (in the firing line / signing on the dotted line) if you continue to make comments like that about your work colleagues.

Answers:

In my line 1. a, 2.b, 3. a, 4. b, 5. a, 6.b

Which noun: 1. the bottom line, 2. the assembly line, 3. punchline, 4. line manager, 5. plot line, 6. a hard line

Don't put your neck on the line: 1. a, 2. a, 3. a, 4. b

Snippets: 1. sign on the dotted line, 2. hook, line and sinker, 3. put your neck on the line, 4. in the firing line