hindenburg line: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Historical / Figurative
Quick answer
What does “hindenburg line” mean?
A heavily fortified German defensive line on the Western Front during World War I.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A heavily fortified German defensive line on the Western Front during World War I.
A metaphorical reference to an apparently impregnable line of defence, or to an event or action that constitutes a major, disastrous failure, often invoking the related term "Hindenburg disaster".
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British historical texts due to the UK's central role on the Western Front. The metaphorical use is roughly equal.
Connotations
Historical, military, catastrophic. In both dialects, it evokes the static, brutal warfare of WWI.
Frequency
Rare in everyday conversation; encountered primarily in historical, military, or figurative contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hindenburg line” in a Sentence
The [military force] breached the Hindenburg Line in [year/event].The policy became his political Hindenburg Line.It was a Hindenburg Line of bureaucracy.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hindenburg line” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The army was Hindenburg-Lined along the ridge. (Very rare, non-standard)
American English
- They attempted to Hindenburg-line their position. (Very rare, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- The Hindenburg-Line-like complexity of the contract stalled talks.
American English
- He faced a Hindenburg Line-style defence from his opponent.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The regulatory framework acted as a Hindenburg Line against market entry."
Academic
"The 1918 Allied offensive successfully pierced the Hindenburg Line, a turning point in the war."
Everyday
"My attempt to organise the family reunion hit a Hindenburg Line of conflicting schedules." (Figurative, rare)
Technical
"The Hindenburg Line incorporated deep bunkers, wire entanglements, and interlocking fields of fire."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hindenburg line”
- Using 'Hindenburg Line' to refer to the airship disaster (that is the 'Hindenburg disaster').
- Misspelling as 'Hindenberg Line'.
- Using it without capitalisation in its historical sense.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Hindenburg Line was a World War I German defensive position in France. The Siegfried Line (or Westwall) was a World War II German defensive line facing France.
It was named after Paul von Hindenburg, the Chief of the German General Staff, who ordered its construction.
Yes, though it's somewhat literary. It can describe any seemingly impassable barrier or, by association with the Hindenburg airship disaster, a catastrophic failure.
Yes, when referring specifically to the historical fortification. In loose metaphorical use, capitalisation is less strict but often retained for clarity.
A heavily fortified German defensive line on the Western Front during World War I.
Hindenburg line is usually formal / historical / figurative in register.
Hindenburg line: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪndənbɜːɡ laɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪndənbɜːrɡ laɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To meet one's Hindenburg Line”
- “A Hindenburg Line of red tape”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HINDER (to obstruct) + BURG (like a fortress) + LINE = A line that hinders, like a fortress wall.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PROBLEM IS A FORTIFIED BARRIER / A DISASTER IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary contemporary use of 'Hindenburg Line'?