Definitions
01help or advice line
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
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.
“The government set up a special hotline for people who had questions about the new tax laws.”
“The charity operates a twenty-four-hour crisis hotline to provide immediate psychological support for those experiencing domestic distress.”
Synonyms
02direct emergency link
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
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.
“During the Cold War, a famous hotline connected the leaders of the US and the Soviet Union.”
“Diplomatic tensions were eased when the two presidents used the secure hotline to clarify their military intentions and avoid an accidental escalation.”
Synonyms
03to call a hotline
C2 · Proficiency Technical
v. to call or communicate using a special help line.
v. to transmit information or communicate via a dedicated hotline service.
“Witnesses were encouraged to hotline any information they had about the crime to the police.”
“The agency established a protocol where field agents could hotline urgent intelligence directly to the central command centre during active operations.”
Etymology
From hot + line.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/hotline
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0