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[line of least resistance] or [path of least resistance]{n. phr.} The easiest way; the way that takes least effort. •/In becoming a doctor like his father John had really just followed the line of least resistance./ •/Some parents take the path of least resistance with their children and let them do as they please./

[line of scrimmage]{n. phr.} An imaginary line on a football field parallel to the goal lines where each play except the kickoff begins. •/The play was stopped at the line of scrimmage./

[line one’s pockets] also [line one’s purse]{v. phr.}, {informal} To get a lot of money unfairly; get rich by being dishonest. •/The policeman lined his pockets by taking bribes./ •/The inspector lined his pockets by permitting contractors to use poor building materials./ Compare: FEATHER ONE’S NEST.

[lineup]{n.} 1. An alignment of objects in a straight line. •/A lineup of Venus and the moon can be a very beautiful sight in the night sky./ 2. An arrangement of suspects through a one-way mirror so that the victim or the witness of a crime can identify the wanted person. •/She picked out her attacker from a police lineup./

[line up]{v. phr.} 1. To take places in a line or formation; stand side by side or one behind another; form a line or pattern. •/The boys lined up and took turns diving off the springboard./ •/The football team lined up in a "T" formation./ 2. To put in line. •/John lined up the pool balls./ 3. To adjust correctly. •/The garage man lined up the car’s wheels./ 4a. {informal} To make ready for action; complete a plan or agreement for; arrange. •/Henry’s friends lined up so many votes for him that he won the election./ •/Roger lined up a summer job before school was out./ •/The superintendent lined up all the new teachers he needed before he went on vacation./ 4b. {informal} To become ready for action; come together in preparation or agreement. •/The football schedule is lining up well; the coach has arranged all games except one./ •/Larry wanted to go to the seashore for the family vacation, but the rest of the family lined up against him./ Compare: GANG UP, SHAPE UP, TAKE SIDES.

[lining] See: EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING.

[link] See: MISSING LINK.

[lion’s share]{n. phr.} A disproportionate share; the largest part. •/The manager always gets the lion’s share of the company’s profits./

[lip] See: BUTTON ONE’S LIP or ZIP ONE’S LIP, HANG ON THE WORDS OF or HANG ON THE LIPS OF, KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP, SLIP OF THE TONGUE also SLIP OF THE LIP.

[lip service]{n.} Support shown by words only and not by actions; a show of loyalty that is not proven in action. — Usually used with "pay". •/Bv holding elections, communism pays lip service to democracy, but it offers only one candidate per office./ •/Some people pay lip service to education, but don’t vote taxes for better schools./

[liquid assets]{n. phr.} Those belongings that can be easily converted into cash. •/Herb asked for a loan and the bank manager told him to bring in proof of all his liquid assets./

[liquor up]{v. phr.}, {slang} To drink an excessive amount of liquor before engaging in some activity as if comparing oneself to a car that needs to be filled before a journey. •/Joe always liquors up before he takes Sue for a dance./

[list] See: SUCKER LIST, WAITING LIST.

[listen in]{v.} 1. To listen to a radio broadcast. •/We found them listening in to the president’s speech./ 2. To listen to the talk of others, often to talk that is not intended for your ears; eavesdrop. •/When Mary talked to her boyfriend on the telephone, her little brother listened in./

[listen to reason]{v. phr.} To listen to and think about advice that you are given. •/Joe was stubborn and would not listen to reason./ •/It will save you a lot of trouble if you will just listen to reason./

[litterbug]{n.}, {slang}, {informal} A person who leaves garbage in a public place, such as a park or beach or a street; one who litters. •/Don’t be a litterbug; keep the city clean!/

[little] See: A LITTLE, A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING, GREAT OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW, LITTLE FROG IN A BIG POND, MAKE LITTLE OF, NOT A LITTLE, QUITE A LITTLE or QUITE A LITTLE BIT, THINK LITTLE OF, TWIST AROUND ONE’S LITTLE FINGER.

[little does one think]{v. phr.} To not realize; not expect; be hardly aware of. •/Little did Ed think that very soon he would be the father of twin daughters./

[little folk] or [little people] See: WEE FOLK.

[little frog in a big pond] or [small frog in a big pond]{n. phr.} An unimportant person in a large group or organization. •/In a large company, even a fairly successful man is likely to feel like a little frog in a big pond./ •/When Bill transferred to a larger high school, he found himself a small frog in a big pond./ Contrast: BIG FROG IN A SMALL POND.

[little pitchers have big ears] Little children often overhear things they are not supposed to hear, or things adults do not expect they would notice. — A proverb. •/Be especially careful not to swear in front of little children. Little pitchers have big ears./

[little theater]{n.} A theater, usually with nonprofessional actors and actresses, which presents plays more for personal pleasure and practice than for profit. •/Little theater groups are active in all parts of the United States./ •/Many famous actors began in little theaters./

[lit up like a Christmas tree]{adj. phr.}, {informal} To be drunk. •/On New Year’s Eve Ned was lit up like a Christmas tree./ Compare: THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND.

[live] See: PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW STONES.

[live and learn] You learn more new things the longer you live; you learn by experience. — A proverb. •/"Live and learn," said Mother. "I never knew that the Indians once had a camp where our house is."/ •/Janet made her new dress from cheap cloth, and when she washed it, it shrank and was too little. Live and learn./

[live and let live] To live in the way you prefer and let others live as they wish without being bothered by you. •/Father scolds Mother because she wears her hair in curlers and Mother scolds Father because he smokes a smelly pipe. Grandfather says it’s her hair and his pipe; live and let live./ Compare: GIVE AND TAKE(1), LET BYGONES BE BYGONES, FORGIVE AND FORGET.