Lineup

ˈlaɪnʌp

nounBeginner📊CommonArrangement
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A list of people or things arranged in order, often for a specific purpose.

ˈlaɪnʌp

nounneutralBeginner
Arrangement

An arrangement of people or things.

The lineup of cars waiting to enter the theme park stretched for miles.

💡 Simply: Imagine a team of superheroes getting ready to fight a bad guy. Their lineup is the order they'll attack in. It's about putting people or things in a specific order to do something, like a group of friends waiting for ice cream.

👶 For kids: A lineup is like when you put your toys in a row!

More Examples

2

The festival's lineup included some of the most popular bands in the country.

3

The police asked the witness to view a lineup of suspects.

How It's Used

Sports

"The coach announced the starting lineup for the championship game."

General

"A long lineup formed outside the concert venue."

2

To form or place people or things in a line or order.

ˈlaɪnʌp

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To put people or things into a line or order.

The teacher told the students to line up before going outside.

💡 Simply: It's like getting everyone in a straight line, like when the teacher wants you to wait in the hall. It is a simple way of getting people or things in order.

👶 For kids: To line up means to stand in a straight line, like when you wait for recess!

More Examples

2

He lined up the toy cars on the shelf.

3

The photographer lined up the models for the photoshoot.

How It's Used

Military

"The soldiers lined up for inspection."

General

"The students lined up outside the classroom."

Tip:Imagine the physical action of creating a line: 'line' + 'up'.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

line up one's ducks

To organize or prepare things in advance; to get things ready.

"Before the presentation, I need to line up my ducks – check the slides, practice my speech, and make sure the projector works."

line up behind someone/something

To support or agree with someone or something.

"Many people lined up behind the new policy, hoping for positive changes."

From 'line' + 'up'. The term likely originated in sports to describe the order of players, and expanded to other contexts.

The term 'lineup' gained prominence in the early 20th century, particularly in sports, before expanding to other applications.

Memory tip

Think of the 'line' and the 'up' – putting things 'up' in a specific order.

Word Origin

LanguageEnglish
Original meaning

"Combination of 'line' (a straight arrangement) and 'up' (indicating a position or arrangement)."

starting lineuplong lineuppolice lineupline up for

Common misspellings

line upline-up

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written