towing-line

A small boat uses a towing-line to pull a dinghy across the calm harbor.

Definition

Noun:
A towing-line is a rope, cable, or chain used for pulling another vehicle or vessel, such as a car, boat, or barge. It is specifically designed to transmit pulling force from a towing vehicle to the object being towed.

Usage Examples

• (The rope used to pull the disabled vehicle.)
• (The cable used to pull the barge.)
• (Check the rope for damage before towing.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be on a towing-line": to be connected to a towing vehicle via such a line. (The sailboat was being pulled by the motorboat.)
• "to cast off the towing-line": to release or detach the line after towing. (They released the cable.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tow-line (n): a shorter or alternative term for towing-line. (The pulling rope broke.)
• Tow-rope (n): a rope used for towing, often thicker. (He changed the towing rope.)
• Tow-cable (n): a cable used for heavy-duty towing. (The metal cable for pulling.)
• Towing-rope (n): another synonym for towing-line. (The pulling rope was stored.)

Synonyms

• Hauling line: a line used for pulling heavy objects.
• Dragging rope: a rope used to drag something behind.
• Pull cable: a cable designed to exert pulling force.

Related Idioms

• "at the end of one's towing-line": in a figurative sense, reaching the limit of one's patience or resources (rare, but derived from the literal meaning). (He was exhausted or frustrated.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Tow in: to pull a vehicle or vessel to a destination using a line. (He pulled the car to the garage.)
• Tow away: to remove a vehicle by towing it. (They removed it using a towing-line.)