down the line
Time & pace · Filed under D
In a sentence
- He hopes to become a manager down the line.
- They plan to expand their business down the line.
- I'll pay you back down the line.
Where it comes from and how it is used
The idiom "down the road" is often used interchangeably with "down the line." Both idioms convey the idea of something happening in the future, suggesting that an event or action will occur at a later time. While "down the road" is a more common phrase in everyday language, it shares the same underlying meaning as "down the line."
The idiom "down the track" is another variation of "down the line." It is often used to specifically refer to something that will happen in a sequential or chronological order, similar to the concept conveyed by the original idiom. The phrase "down the track" can also imply a sense of progress or movement towards a future goal or destination.
In addition to these idioms, there is another common expression that is related to "down the line": "somewhere along the line." This phrase is often used to refer to something that will happen at some point in the future, but without specifying a particular time or order. It suggests that an event or action will occur, but the exact timing or sequence is uncertain or unknown.
Another variation of the idiom is the phrase "go down the road." This expression is often used to suggest that someone will embark on a particular course of action or follow a certain path in the future. It implies that a person will take steps or make decisions that will lead to a specific outcome or result.
Similarly, the phrase "go down that road" is also related to the idiom "down the line." It is used to caution against or discourage someone from pursuing a particular course of action or making a certain decision. It implies that the consequences or outcomes of going down that path will be negative or undesirable.
Neighbouring idioms
- down the roadPlaces & travel
- down the trackTime & pace
- somewhere along the lineTime & pace
- go down the road
- go down that road
- in the long termTime & pace
- down the road, not across the street
- in the offing
Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.