the dotted line

the dotted line

The line on which one must write one's signature, usually in order to agree to or purchase something. Once you sign on the dotted line, you'll be the owner of a brand-new car!
See also: dot, line
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • cut along
  • cut along (something)
  • get a line on
  • get a line on (someone or something)
  • get a line on someone
  • fall in line
  • fall in(to) line
  • fall into line
  • step out of line
  • come into line
References in classic literature
Whether it was that Archibald pressed too much or pressed too little, whether it was that his club deviated from the dotted line which joined the two points A and B in the illustrated plate of the man making the brassy shot in the Hints on Golf book, or whether it was that he was pursued by some malignant fate, I do not know.
The Man Upstairs and Other Stories
The other nine species (marked by capital letters) of our original genus, may for a long period continue transmitting unaltered descendants; and this is shown in the diagram by the dotted lines not prolonged far upwards from want of space.
The Origin of Species
A section of the reef and island in this state, after a subsidence of several hundred feet, is given by the dotted lines. Coral islets are supposed to have been formed on the reef; and a ship is anchored in the lagoon-channel.
The Voyage of the Beagle
I think I deserve to hear the script before I sign on the dotted line. I am not saying that I won't do it.
Kriti Kharbanda on her 'Yamla' anxieties
New Delhi: There is a certain set pattern that most life insurance policy advertisements follow; the husband looks dubiously at his wife prior to signing on the dotted line of a life insurance policy.
Husband looks dubiously at his wife
And the "a hell-a-lotta money was involved" to get Lady Jay Dee to sign on the dotted line.
Lady Jay Dee dumps Ali Kiba's label for Kenyan one
5 Fold nose back out across the dotted line (right).
Plane crazy
The dotted line reporting is up through the legal org chart.
Solid, Dotted and Matrixed: Reporting Lines for Legal
Businessmen have poured into Tehran to discuss opportunities, but few are eager to sign on the dotted line until they are told that sanctions have been lifted.
State dept. warns that sanctions still in force
When Alan Pardon-You became the manager of Newcastle United, in 2010 he signed on the dotted line for five-and-a-half years.
When it comes to contracts, [...]
Children can follow the dotted line to trace Polka and Dot's journey.
Cali, Davide (text) Marc Boutavant (illus.) The Great House Hunt
Another man moving from the Annagh into Intermediate A is Jamie Uprichard who signed on the dotted line for Tandragee Rovers.
KENNY MAKE THEM GREAT? in short
Therefore Ronny faces an agonising decision: Keep the truth from his best friend until the automotive company has signed on the dotted line or tell Nick everything, aggravate his stomach ulcer and plunge the engine design project into chaos.
Designing the truth
No chance to think about it first or talk it through with me - just sign on the dotted line.
Pushy methods
Having signed on the dotted line with Alun, Sin is over the moon.
POBOL Y CWM