on the dotted line

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   by signing a contract or official document, especially to agree to a deal

   Grammar: Almost always used after 'sign': sign on the dotted line.

   Patterns

   • sign on the dotted line
   • put your name on the dotted line

   Read every page carefully before you sign on the dotted line.

   The seller smiled as the buyer signed on the dotted line.

   Once you sign on the dotted line, the price cannot be changed.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasefigurative

   used to mean that someone finally agrees to something or makes a firm commitment

   Grammar: Often used figuratively when no paper is involved.

   Patterns

   • sign on the dotted line
   • get someone to sign on the dotted line

   After months of talks, the two sides finally signed on the dotted line.

   She was still unsure, but in the end she signed on the dotted line.

Common combinations

sign on the dotted line

The manager asked me to sign on the dotted line before starting work.

put your name on the dotted line

Just put your name on the dotted line and the car is yours.

finally sign on the dotted line

After a long delay, they finally signed on the dotted line.

before you sign on the dotted line

Check the interest rate before you sign on the dotted line.

Synonyms and how they differ

sign

This is the plain verb; 'on the dotted line' adds a picture of a formal contract and is more informal and vivid.

put pen to paper

This means to begin writing or to sign something; it is more literary and less common in business talk.

Word family

dotted line noun

A line made of small dots, especially one on a form where you sign your name.

Commonly confused: on the dotted line or sign the line?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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