clothesline
/ˈkloʊðzlaɪn/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 2.45 in modern English
16
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
2
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A structure with multiple cords for the same purpose, such as a Hills hoist.
noun
The act of knocking a person over by striking his or her upper body or neck with one's arm, as if he or she had run into a low clothesline.
Canadian usage; American usage; Informal
verb
To knock (a person) over by striking them across the neck or upper body with an outstretched arm, mimicking the motion of running into a low clothesline.
Australian usage; Canadian usage; American usage; Informal; Transitive verb
Example Sentences
- "Hang this towel out on the clothesline for me."
- "The referee called a personal foul, when he clotheslined the running back."
- "One beast jams out its arm, as if to clothesline me, jagged claws poised to take my head off at the neck. I let my feet fall from under me, throwing my legs forward, praying for some momentum, ducking and sliding, a mad limbo to freedom."
- ""I turned around and the next thing I was taken out by this big guy. I'm not sure if he punched me or clothes-lined me," he said."
Etymology
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈkloʊðzlaɪn/
- British English: /ˈkləʊðzlaɪn/
Usage
- Canadian usage
- American usage
- Informal
- Australian usage
- Transitive verb