A
line is an expression, speech or monologue that is designed to
unfairly (through manipulation of feelings or outright mendacity, for
instance) influence the listener toward some goal concocted by the
speaker-- such as sex, power, respect, etc.
Many young men have lines which they hope will help them seduce young
ladies, and many young ladies have lines that help avoid
seduction. A person can also have a line about his illustrious
past, his important occupation, his multifarious talents, etc.
It's a line, spoken of a third party, would suggest that the
speaker recognizes that that party is being insincere or repeating a
standard approach to a situation.
Of course, your example has no context, so
line could have any of its many other meanings. The one I am suggesting is meaning #24:
NOUN:1. Mathematics A geometric figure formed by a point moving along a fixed direction and the reverse direction.
2a. A thin continuous mark, as that made by a pen, pencil, or brush applied to a surface.
b. A similar mark cut or scratched into a surface.
c. A crease in the skin, especially on the face; a wrinkle.
3a. A real or imaginary mark positioned in relation to fixed points of reference.
b. A degree or circle of longitude or latitude drawn on a map or globe.
c. The equator. Used with
the. 4a. A border or boundary:
the county line. b. A demarcation:
a line of darker water beyond the reef. c. A contour or an outline:
the line of the hills against the evening sky. 5a. A mark used to define a shape or represent a contour.
b. Any of the marks that make up the formal design of a picture.
6a. A cable, rope, string, cord, or wire.
b. Nautical A rope used aboard a ship.
c. A fishing line.
d. A clothesline.
e. A cord or tape used, as by builders or surveyors, for measuring, leveling, or straightening.
7. A pipe or system of pipes for conveying a fluid:
gas lines. 8. An electric-power transmission cable.
9a. A wire or system of wires connecting telephone or telegraph systems.
b. An open or functioning telephone connection:
tried to get a free line. 10a.
A passenger or cargo system of public or private transportation, as by
ship, aircraft, or bus, usually over a definite route.
b. A company owning or managing such a system.
11a. A railway track or system of tracks.
b. A particular section of a railway network:
the Philadelphia–Trenton line. 12. A course of progress or movement; a route:
a line of flight. 13a. A general method, manner, or course of procedure:
different lines of thought; took a hard line on defense. b. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor:
development along socialist lines. c. An official or prescribed policy:
the party line. 14. A general concept or model. Often used in the plural:
a trilogy along the lines of the Oresteia. 15. A condition of agreement; alignment:
brought the front wheels into line; a wage agreement in line with current inflation. 16a. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest:
What line of work are you in? b. Range of competence:
not in my line. 17. Merchandise or services of a similar or related nature:
carries a complete line of small tools. 18. A group of persons or things arranged in a row or series:
long lines at the box office; a line of stones. 19a. Ancestry or lineage.
b. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other:
a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers. c. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding.
20a. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending:
a line of argument. b.
An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or
assembly of goods at all or various stages of production.
c. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service.
21a. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols.
b. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image.
22. A brief letter; a note:
I'll drop you a line. 23a. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter:
a line of iambic pentameter. b. The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play. Often used in the plural:
spent the weekend learning her lines. 24. Informal Glib or insincere talk, usually intended to deceive or impress:
He kept on handing me a line about how busy he is. 25. abbr. lines Chiefly British a. A marriage certificate.
b. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment.
26. Games A horizontal demarcation on a scorecard in bridge dividing the honor score from the trick score.
27a. A source of information.
b. The information itself:
got a line on the computer project. 28a. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff.
b. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece:
a rock song with a driving bass line. 29a. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another.
b. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front.
c. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense.
d. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel.
e. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units.
f. A bulwark or trench.
g. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses:
the Siegfried line. 30. Sports a. A foul line.
b. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field.
c. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends.
d. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit.
e. Football A line of scrimmage.
f. Football The linemen considered as a group.
31. Informal The odds a bookmaker gives, especially for sports events.
32. The proportion of an insurance risk assumed by a particular underwriter or company.
33. Slang A small amount of cocaine arranged in a thin, usually tightly rolled strip for sniffing.
34. Archaic One's lot or position in life.
(courtesy of
American Heritage Dictionary)