dotted line

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A line made of a row of small dots, especially one on a form showing where to write your signature.

   Grammar: Countable: a dotted line; often used with on: sign on the dotted line.

   Patterns

   • sign on the dotted line
   • cut along the dotted line

   Please sign your name on the dotted line.

   Cut along the dotted line to remove the coupon.

   The map shows the border as a dotted line.

2. 2phraseidiomfigurative

   Used in the expression sign on the dotted line to mean formally agree to something, especially a contract.

   Grammar: Usually appears with sign: sign on the dotted line.

   Patterns

   • sign on the dotted line

   The striker will sign on the dotted line tomorrow.

   Once you sign on the dotted line, there is no going back.

   Before I sign on the dotted line, I want a lawyer to check the terms.

Word forms

Common combinations

sign on the dotted line

Sign on the dotted line and the car is yours.

cut along the dotted line

Cut along the dotted line to make the box.

fold along the dotted line

Fold along the dotted line before gluing.

follow the dotted line

Follow the dotted line on the map to reach the trail.

tear along the dotted line

Tear along the dotted line to remove the form.

Synonyms and how they differ

perforation

Perforation is the actual row of tiny holes that lets paper be torn, while a dotted line is drawn or printed.

broken line

Broken line is a more general term for dashes or dots, while dotted line refers to dots only.

dashed line

A dashed line has short bars instead of dots, so it is similar but not identical.

Opposites

Word family

dot noun

a very small round mark

dot verb

to mark with dots or scatter about

dotted adjective

marked with dots

dotty adjective

informal and British for slightly crazy

Commonly confused: dotted line or dashed line?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “dotted line”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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