ENGLISH
REFERENCE

get a line on

idiom
Meaning

To obtain information about someone or something.


Examples
SIMPLE

The police finally got a line on the missing car.

CONTEXTUAL

After searching for weeks, the investigators finally got a line on where the suspect might be hiding.

COMPLEX

The journalist spent months tracking rumors until she finally got a line on the secret documents that would expose the entire scandal.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as it gets

    As it is possible to be.

  2. 02

    been there, done that, got the T-shirt

    Alternative form of been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

  3. 03

    blur the line

    To minimize or erode the distinction between two things.

  4. 04

    bottom line

    The summary or result; the most important information.

  5. 05

    bottom of the line

    The worst or lowest quality on the market, especially among a range of products.

  6. 06

    bright line

    A clear distinction in the context of a legal, moral, ethical, or analytical judgment.

  7. 07

    can't get enough

    Greatly enjoys; likes a lot.

  8. 08

    cat got someone's tongue

    Why is someone not saying anything?

Last updated April 17, 2026