life-line

A sailor holds onto the life-line during a storm at sea.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A rope or line used for safety: A "life-line" is a rope or line attached to a safety harness, used by divers, sailors, or workers at heights to prevent falls or to rescue someone in danger.
   • A vital communication or supply route: In a broader sense, a "life-line" refers to a critical connection, such as a transportation route or communication channel, that is essential for survival or functioning.
   • A line in palmistry: In palm reading, the "life-line" is a crease on the palm that is believed to indicate the length or quality of a person's life.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The diver clipped his life-line to the boat before descending. (A safety rope used to prevent loss or enable rescue.)
  • The highway is the region's economic life-line, transporting goods and people. (A vital transportation route.)
  • She examined the life-line on her palm, curious about what it might reveal. (A crease in palmistry.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a life-line": to serve as an essential means of survival or support.

  • The food bank is a life-line for many families in need. (It provides critical assistance.)

• "to throw a life-line": to offer help or rescue in a difficult situation.

  • The charity threw a life-line to the struggling community by providing clean water. (They offered essential aid.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lifeline (n): a single-word variant of "life-line," meaning the same thing—a line used for safety or a vital connection.
  • The lifeline was crucial for the climber's safety. (The rope prevented a fall.)

Synonyms

• Safety rope: a rope used to secure someone from falling.
• Lifesaver: something that saves a person from danger or difficulty.
• Artery: a major route or channel (e.g., a transportation artery).

Related Idioms

• "He has a long life-line": In palmistry, this phrase suggests a person is expected to live a long life.

  • The fortune teller said his life-line was very long. (A prediction of longevity.)

• "A lifeline to the outside world": a phrase describing a vital connection to resources or information beyond one's immediate environment.

  • The internet is a lifeline to the outside world for isolated communities. (It provides essential communication.)