clothesline: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1informal, everyday domestic
Quick answer
What does “clothesline” mean?
A cord, rope, or wire on which washed clothes are hung to dry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cord, rope, or wire on which washed clothes are hung to dry.
Can refer to any horizontal line used for drying laundry; also used figuratively in sports journalism to describe a forceful, direct play or action that resembles the straight line of a clothesline.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is common in both dialects, but specific collocations might vary. The sports slang usage as a verb is more common in North American English.
Connotations
Primarily domestic and practical. The sports metaphor connotes a sudden, forceful, and often illegal obstruction.
Frequency
High frequency in domestic contexts; lower frequency overall. The verb form is niche, primarily in sports commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “clothesline” in a Sentence
[SUBJ] hang [OBJ] on the clothesline[SUBJ] string up a clothesline between [OBJ][SUBJ] was clotheslined by [AGENT] (sports)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clothesline” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The defender dangerously clotheslined the attacker, leading to a straight red card.
- He got completely clotheslined when he tried to run through the gap.
American English
- The safety came across the middle and clotheslined the receiver.
- I wasn't looking and got clotheslined by a low tree branch.
adverb
British English
- N/A (Not standard).
American English
- N/A (Not standard).
adjective
British English
- N/A (Not standard).
American English
- N/A (Not standard).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in manufacturing/sales of domestic products.
Academic
Very rare outside of cultural or historical studies of domestic life.
Everyday
Common in domestic/household contexts.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “clothesline”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “clothesline”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clothesline”
- Pronouncing the 'th' and 's' as separate syllables (/kləʊθs-laɪn/ is incorrect).
- Using 'clothline' (dropping the 'es').
- Confusing with 'closet line'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a closed compound noun: 'clothesline'.
A clothesline is typically a cord or wire stretched between two points. A drying rack (or airer) is a freestanding, often foldable frame.
Yes, but primarily in informal North American sports slang, meaning to hit someone's upper body with a straight arm, knocking them over.
It's pronounced as a 'z' sound followed by a long 'i'. In UK English: /ˈkləʊðzlaɪn/. In US English: /ˈkloʊðzlaɪn/. The 'th' is voiced as in 'the'.
A cord, rope, or wire on which washed clothes are hung to dry.
Clothesline is usually informal, everyday domestic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Air your dirty laundry in public (related conceptually, not directly)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the LINE you hang your CLOTHES on.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LINE is a SUPPORT FOR DRYING (Primary). A HORIZONTAL BARRIER is a FORCEFUL OBSTRUCTION (Sports).
Practice
Quiz
In North American sports commentary, what does 'to clothesline' an opponent mean?