linesman

Everyday

1. (sport) An official who helps the referee or umpire by watching the lines of the pitch or court and showing with a flag when the ball goes out or a player is offside. tree →
2. A worker who puts up and repairs telephone or electricity lines, or railway lines. tree →

In the lessons

In PE and sport, in football the linesmen are now officially called «assistant referees»; in tennis, line judges call «Out!». In everyday news, linesmen repair power lines after storms. Phrases: the linesman's flag, raise the flag.

Examples

• The linesman raised his flag for offside. tree →
• The ball went out, and the linesman pointed for a throw-in. tree →
• The players argued with the linesman. tree →
• After the storm, linesmen worked all night to fix the power lines. tree →
• In tennis, the linesman shouted «Out!». tree →
• The referee checked with the linesman before giving the goal. tree →
• Linesmen climbed the poles to repair the broken cable. tree →

Note

Plural: linesmen. Officially in football: assistant referee; in tennis: line judge. A woman doing the job is often called «lineswoman» or «assistant referee». Pronounced LINES-mun.