clothes-line

She hangs the wet laundry on the clothes-line in the backyard.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cord or rope for hanging laundry: A "clothes-line" is a length of cord, rope, or wire, typically stretched between two points outdoors or indoors, used for drying wet clothes by suspending them in the air.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She hung the freshly washed shirts on the clothes-line in the backyard. (She used the rope to dry the clothing outside.)
  • The strong wind blew the sheets off the clothes-line. (The rope was unable to hold the laundry due to the wind.)

Advanced Usage

• "to hang out the clothes-line": to set up or use a clothes-line for drying laundry.

  • Every Monday, she hangs out the clothes-line and dries the family's laundry. (She regularly uses the clothes-line for this purpose.)

• "a clothes-line pole": a support structure for a clothes-line.

  • He installed a metal clothes-line pole to keep the rope steady. (A pole that holds the line in place.)

Variants and Related Words

• Clothesline (n): an alternative spelling of "clothes-line", often used interchangeably.

  • The clothesline was broken after the storm. (The rope or cord for drying clothes.)

• Clothes peg (n): a clip or fastener used to secure clothes to a clothes-line.

  • She used wooden clothes pegs to hold the socks on the clothes-line. (Small devices that grip the fabric to the line.)

Synonyms

• Laundry line: a rope or cord specifically for drying laundry.
• Drying line: a line used for drying items, often clothes.

Related Idioms

• "Don't air your dirty laundry in public": a metaphorical idiom, not directly using "clothes-line", but related to the concept of hanging laundry (clothes) on a line; meaning to avoid discussing private matters publicly. (Note: This idiom does not contain "clothes-line" itself, but is thematically linked.)
  • He warned his friend not to air his dirty laundry in public by sharing family secrets. (Keep private matters private.)

Phrasal Verbs

• "to clothes-line" (verb, informal, especially in sports): to knock someone down by extending an arm across their path, like a clothes-line.
  • The defender clothes-lined the runner during the game, causing a penalty. (The defender struck the runner with an outstretched arm.)