get a line on (someone or something)
get a line on (someone or something)
To have or obtain helpful information about someone or something. I've got a line on a few job opportunities in the city. John says he can get a line on a guy who can fix the car for half the price.
See also: get, line, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
get a line on
Also, have a line on. Acquire information about something or someone, come to know. For example, Sue got a line on some possible tennis partners, or The realtor has a line on a number of vacant apartments. Similarly, give someone a line on means "provide information about," as in The librarian gave me a line on the books I would need. This idiom uses line in the sense of "a direct course." [c. 1900] Also see get a fix on.
See also: get, line, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
get a line on someone
mainly AMERICAN, INFORMALIf you get a line on someone or something, you get some information about them. We've been trying to get a line on you, and the more we try, the less we find. Note: You can say that you have a line on someone or something if you have some information about them. I really don't have a line on what's going to happen yet.
See also: get, line, on, someone
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
get a line on
learn something about. informal 1939 Raymond Chandler The Big Sleep I was trying to get a line on you, sure.
See also: get, line, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- get a line on
- get a line on someone
- get in(to) line
- come in(to) line
- come into line
- step out of line
- all along the line
- all along/down the line
- be out of line
- the dotted line