endline
endline — phrase
1. a line painted on the ground that shows where a playing field or court ends and
a line painted on the ground that shows where a playing field or court ends and the area outside the game begins
The referee walked to the endline and raised his flag to signal a goal.
collocation: walk to the endline
Players must keep the ball inside the endline for the play to continue.
A line judge was positioned near the endline to watch for out-of-bounds shots.
The coach pointed at the endline and explained where the players should stand.
- baseline
used specifically for tennis and basketball courts; endline is the broader term that covers more sports
- boundary line
a general term for any line that marks the edge of a playing area
- goal line
in some sports the endline doubles as the goal line, but in American football these are different lines
- sideline
marks the long side of the field rather than the short end
用法筆記
Often used together with 'sideline' when describing the full rectangular boundary of a sports field or court.
常見錯誤
2. in American football, a painted line at each end of the field, placed ten yards
in American football, a painted line at each end of the field, placed ten yards beyond the goal line, that marks the farthest point of the playing area
The wide receiver was tackled just before he reached the endline.
collocation: reach the endline
A touchdown is scored when a player crosses the goal line, not the endline behind it.
contrast: goal line ≠ endline in American football
The quarterback threw the ball out past the endline to stop the clock.
Fans sitting in the front row behind the endline had the best view of the action.
The officials checked the replay to see if the runner's foot touched the endline.
用法筆記
Do not confuse with 'goal line' — in American football the goal line is 10 yards in front of the endline. A player must cross the goal line, not the endline, to score a touchdown.
常見錯誤
3. in basketball or tennis, one of the two lines running from side to side at each
in basketball or tennis, one of the two lines running from side to side at each end of the court, used to decide if the ball is in or out of play
The tennis player served the ball just inside the endline at 190 km per hour.
collocation: inside the endline (for a legal serve)
A basketball player stepped on the endline before passing, so the other team got the ball.
During warm-ups, the team ran from one endline to the other across the court.
The umpire called the ball out after it landed just beyond the endline.
- baseline
in tennis, baseline is much more common; endline is used in broader sports contexts
用法筆記
In tennis, 'baseline' is the more common term for this line; 'endline' is less frequent but still used. In basketball, 'endline' is the standard term.