Phrase guide

out of line

prep_phrase · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see out of, line.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I lost my place when I had to get out of line to find you.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Inappropriate or unsuitable, especially by reason of being unmannerly or indelicate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I hope my comments yesterday were not out of line.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

prep_phrase

Meaning 3

Disobedient, not following orders or order.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

prep_phrase

Meaning 4

Not in a line, straggly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

25 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 不合適 /不合适 (bù héshì) — inappropriate
  • Dutch: ongepast — inappropriate
  • Dutch: buitensporig — inappropriate
  • Estonian: kohatu — inappropriate
  • Finnish: sopimaton — inappropriate
  • German: abweichend — inappropriate
  • German: neben der Spur — inappropriate
  • German: unpassend — inappropriate
  • Italian: fuori luogo — inappropriate
  • Lithuanian: ne vietoje — inappropriate
  • Macedonian: несоо́дветен (nesoódveten) — inappropriate
  • Macedonian: неу́месен (neúmesen) — inappropriate
  • Polish: niewłaściwy — inappropriate
  • Portuguese: fora da casinha — inappropriate
  • Romanian: deplasat — inappropriate
  • Russian: не к ме́сту (ne k méstu) — inappropriate
  • Russian: неуме́стный (neuméstnyj) — inappropriate
  • Tagalog: wala sa tikma — inappropriate
  • German: verstreut — Not in a line
  • German: verteilt — Not in a line
  • Māori: tīreureu — Not in a line
  • Polish: potargany — Not in a line
  • Polish: roztrzepany — Not in a line
  • Polish: zmierzwiony — Not in a line
  • Polish: rozproszony — Not in a line