hotline
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a telephone number that is always open to give people help or information about a specific problem.
n.a telephone service providing immediate assistance, information, or support, often staffed twenty-four hours a day.
Simple“The government set up a special hotline for people who had questions about the new tax laws.”
In context“The charity operates a twenty-four-hour crisis hotline to provide immediate psychological support for those experiencing domestic distress.”
Synonymshelplinesupport line - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a direct phone line between leaders of different countries to be used during an emergency.
n.a direct, secure communication link between heads of state or high-ranking officials, intended for use during international crises.
Simple“During the Cold War, a famous hotline connected the leaders of the US and the Soviet Union.”
In context“Diplomatic tensions were eased when the two presidents used the secure hotline to clarify their military intentions and avoid an accidental escalation.”
Synonymsdirect link - 03 C2 Proficiency
v.to call or communicate using a special help line.
v.to transmit information or communicate via a dedicated hotline service.
Simple“Witnesses were encouraged to hotline any information they had about the crime to the police.”
In context“The agency established a protocol where field agents could hotline urgent intelligence directly to the central command centre during active operations.”
From hot + line.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.