between the lines

phrase

1

: by implication : in an indirect way

2

: by way of inference

Examples of between the lines in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Effective boards create space for weak signals, uncomfortable trade-offs and questions management may not be ready to answer, which matters even more now that AI can make dashboards cleaner while the real risk sits between the lines. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

The defining moment, the symbolic gesture, the enduring image, was a swing of the foot not between the lines at Lumen Field but outside them, just in front of the United States bench. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026

At Bayern last season, around a quarter of his chances came from that zone on the edge of the box, showcasing the value of getting him on the ball between the lines. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for between the lines

• airlines
• aligns
• alkynes
• alpines
• assigns
• baselines
• bloodlines
• bovines
• canines
• carbines
• coastlines
• combines