clothesline

Everyday

1. A rope or wire on which washed clothes are hung to dry. tree →
2. (sport, informal) To knock someone over by hitting them across the neck or chest with an outstretched arm; it is dangerous and against the rules. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and science: clothes dry on the clothesline because water evaporates in sun and wind. Phrases: hang out the washing, peg on the clothesline. Australia: rotary clothesline (Hills Hoist).

Examples

• Mum hung the sheets on the clothesline. tree →
• The wet towels dried quickly on the clothesline in the wind. tree →
• Use pegs to keep the clothes on the line. tree →
• A bird sat on the clothesline. tree →
• The rugby player was penalised for a clothesline tackle. tree →
• The clothesline stretched across the garden. tree →

Note

One word (also clothes line). In the UK, also «washing line». Pegs (UK/Australia) are called clothespins in the US. In science, washing dries faster when it is warm, windy and dry.