line-up

line-up — phrasal verb

1. to stand one behind another or side by side in a row, usually because you are wa

1.phrasal verbintransitiveA2
Definition

to stand one behind another or side by side in a row, usually because you are waiting for something or want to enter a place.

Example

Folake lined up outside the bakery before it opened to buy fresh bread.

line up + outside [place] + to [purpose]

The children lined up at the classroom door when the bell rang.

Common collocations
  • line up for
  • line up outside
  • line up to do
  • line up at
Synonyms
  • queue up

    more common in British English; same meaning

  • stand in line

    more common in American English; slightly less economical

Grammar Patterns

line up + for + [something]

line up + to + [infinitive]

Usage Note

Often used with a location ('outside', 'at') or purpose ('for', 'to'). This sense is intransitive — no direct object follows 'line up'.

Common Mistakes

I lined up the tickets for two hours.
I lined up for the tickets for two hours.
When meaning 'wait in a queue', do NOT use an object after 'line up'.

2. to place people or things side by side so that they sit straight in a row, often

2.phrasal verbtransitiveA2
Definition

to place people or things side by side so that they sit straight in a row, often for a particular purpose such as counting, inspecting, or taking a photograph.

Example

Christopher lined up the toy soldiers on his bedroom shelf from tallest to shortest.

line + object + up + [prepositional phrase]

The teacher lined the students up in two rows before the fire drill.

separable: object between 'line' and 'up'

Common collocations
  • line up chairs
  • line up soldiers
  • line up bottles
  • line them up
  • line everyone up
Synonyms
  • arrange

    more general; does not imply a straight line

  • align

    more precise; suggests very straight positioning

Grammar Patterns

line + object + up

line up + object

Usage Note

This is a separable phrasal verb. When the object is a pronoun, it MUST go between 'line' and 'up' ('line them up', NOT 'line up them'). When the object is a long noun phrase, it is more natural to place it after 'up'.

Common Mistakes

I lined up them by the door.
I lined them up by the door.
Pronoun objects must go between 'line' and 'up'.

3. to make arrangements for something to happen, or to find someone who will be ava

3.phrasal verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to make arrangements for something to happen, or to find someone who will be available to take part in an activity — for example, booking a musician for a concert or scheduling a meeting.

Example

Felipe lined up a jazz band for the wedding reception next month.

Theo has three job interviews lined up for next week.

passive: have + something + lined up

Common collocations
  • line up a meeting
  • line up a band
  • line up an interview
  • have something lined up
  • line up help
  • line up a speaker
Synonyms
  • arrange

    more formal and general; works in any context

  • organise

    stresses the planning process rather than the outcome

  • set up

    similar informality; focuses on making something available

Antonyms
  • cancel

    the opposite of arranging an event

Grammar Patterns

have + something + lined up

line up + [event/activity/person]

line + something + up

Usage Note

Common in informal and business contexts. Frequently used in the passive structure 'have something lined up' (e.g. 'I have a meeting lined up'). The object can be an event, a person, or an activity.

Common Mistakes

I lined up a meeting for yesterday, but I forgot.
I had a meeting lined up for yesterday, but I forgot.
The passive 'have something lined up' sounds more natural for future or arranged events.

4. to move an object until it is in exactly the right position compared to another

4.phrasal verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to move an object until it is in exactly the right position compared to another object, so that they sit straight, match, or fit together correctly.

Example

Folake lined up the edge of the wallpaper with the corner of the wall.

line up + object + with + [reference point]

Christopher lined the two holes up before putting the screw in.

separable structure with 'up' at end

Common collocations
  • line up with
  • line up the edges
  • line up the holes
  • line up perfectly
  • line up the marks
Synonyms
  • align

    more formal; common in technical contexts

  • straighten

    focuses on removing crookedness, not relative positioning

Antonyms
  • misalign

    to put something out of correct position

Grammar Patterns

line up + object + with + [something]

line + object + up

Usage Note

Often used with 'with' to specify the reference object. This meaning is common in DIY, photography, construction, and mechanical contexts.

Common Mistakes

I lined up the picture with the frame' (when the picture is already framed)
I lined up the picture with the frame' (correct when hanging or mounting)
But note: 'line up' suggests movement into position; for something already positioned, use 'align'.