Word
redline
Phoneticsred·line
UK/ɹˈɛdlaɪn/
Definition
v. to show changes you want to make in a document, usually with red marks for words to add or cut. You use this when you check a contract or draft with another person.
v. to mark proposed additions, deletions, or corrections in a draft, typically with red tracking marks.
Examples
“She redlines the contract before she signs it.”
“The lawyer redlines the lease agreement and sends it back with clearer payment terms.”
“After weeks of negotiation, both teams redlined the final draft late into the night, debating every clause that shifted risk from one side to the other.”
Examples
simple
“She redlines the contract before she signs it.”
contextual
“The lawyer redlines the lease agreement and sends it back with clearer payment terms.”
complex
“After weeks of negotiation, both teams redlined the final draft late into the night, debating every clause that shifted risk from one side to the other.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “redline” in context.
Verb
01. agree to redline
“Both parties agreed to redline the draft together in person.”
verb + particle + verb
02. offer to redline
“Our lawyer offered to redline the proposal by tomorrow morning.”
verb + particle + verb
03. redline for review
“Please redline the NDA for review and return it by noon.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
04. carefully redline
“Carefully redline each section before sharing it with the counterparty.”
adv + verb
05. extensively redline
“The legal team extensively redlined the licensing terms.”
adv + verb
06. heavily redline
“Outside counsel heavily redlined the merger agreement overnight.”
adv + verb
Noun
07. redline agreement
“They redlined the agreement to clarify the payment terms.”
verb + noun
08. redline clause
“Counsel redlined the indemnity clause to limit our liability.”
verb + noun
09. redline contract
“We need to redline the contract before the closing meeting.”
verb + noun
10. redline draft
“He redlined the draft and sent it back within the hour.”
verb + noun
11. accept all redlined changes
“The board accepted all redlined changes to the partnership terms.”
12. circulate a redlined version
“She circulated a redlined version showing all proposed deletions.”
Usage
Transitive; takes a direct object naming the document or passage revised.
Etymology
From red + line, originating with the frequent use of red pen or pencil to mark corrections on drawings and documents (1), and the red markings on a tachometer (2).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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