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John Millen

'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



Get in line