give someone a line—
1. give a person information about smth.:
- Maybe she can give me a line on a place to stay.
2. (coll.) give smb. false or misleading information (also: feed someone a line):
- It didn’t matter much whether Frank was giving her a line, or really loved her.
3. (also: give someone a line or two) send smb. a brief note or letter:
- If you would like more information regarding this music, please give me a line.
Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase drop someone a line— = give someone a line 3:
- Upon receiving your submission, your editor will drop you a line acknowledging receipt.
give someone line —(also: give someone rope) give a person freedom of action (in order that he may reveal himself ):
- She was persuaded he would ruin all, but she was resolved to give him line.