lineup
lineup — noun
1. a set of people chosen to take part together in a sports match, performance, or
a set of people chosen to take part together in a sports match, performance, or other event
The coach announced the starting lineup for Saturday's match against Riverford.
starting lineup + for [event]
Keiko was thrilled to see her name in the concert lineup alongside famous musicians.
The festival lineup this year includes three international bands and a local dance group.
Reporters crowded around to photograph the all-star lineup at the charity dinner.
Fans were upset when the main act was pulled from the lineup at the last moment.
2. a line of people, including one suspected of a crime, presented to a witness who
a line of people, including one suspected of a crime, presented to a witness who tries to pick out the suspect
The witness walked slowly past the lineup, studying each face before pointing to number four.
past + the lineup
Dmitri was asked to stand in a police lineup after the robbery near the train station.
The detective told Fatima that the suspect would be in a lineup of six men of similar height.
Ingrid looked through the one-way mirror at the six-man lineup and pointed straight at the suspect.
The lawyer argued that the lineup was unfair because her client looked much younger than the others.
- identification parade
British English equivalent; the standard term in UK legal contexts
- identity parade
variant of identification parade, also chiefly British
用法筆記
British English more often uses 'identification parade' for this meaning.
3. the set order in which players on a baseball team come up to bat during a game
the set order in which players on a baseball team come up to bat during a game
The manager moved Javier up to third in the batting lineup after his strong performance last week.
batting lineup
In baseball, the lineup must be handed to the umpire before the first pitch.
Nneka's name was written in the cleanup spot — fourth in the Tigers' lineup.
The umpire caught a mistake on the Braves' lineup card and made the batter return to the dugout.
- batting order
the most direct synonym; used interchangeably in baseball
用法筆記
Only used in baseball. Outside North America, this sense is rare.
lineup — verb
- lineuppresent simple I / you / we / they
- lineups3rd person singular
- lineuping-ing form
- lineupedpast simple
1. to stand or move into a row, one behind or beside another, waiting for something
to stand or move into a row, one behind or beside another, waiting for something or getting ready to do something
The children lined up outside the classroom door, still chattering about the field trip.
Passengers began to line up at the gate as soon as the flight was announced.
line up + at [location]
Volunteers lined up along the riverbank to plant trees on a chilly Saturday morning.
Tourists lined up along the canal bridge to watch the sunset over the old cathedral.
Fans lined up for hours outside the stadium, hoping to get tickets for the final.
- queue up
more common in British English for everyday waiting in line
- form a queue
more formal; often used in official announcements
- fall in
military or very orderly context; suggests taking a specific place in formation
文法句型
line up
line up + at/along/outside + [place]
用法筆記
Commonly used with a preposition of place (at, outside, along) or purpose (for). The phrasal verb 'queue up' is more common in British English for everyday waiting.
常見錯誤
2. to arrange objects so that they form a straight row or sit in the correct positi
to arrange objects so that they form a straight row or sit in the correct position relative to each other
Rashid lined up the cups on the counter, ready to pour tea for the guests.
The mechanic used a laser tool to line up the wheels before tightening the bolts.
line up + [object] + with [reference point]
Mei carefully lined up all the spices in alphabetical order on the kitchen shelf.
Before drilling, the carpenter lined up the plank with the pencil mark on the wall.
The teacher asked the children to line their chairs up in two straight rows.
- align
more formal and technical; often used in engineering and design
- straighten
focuses on making something straight rather than positioning relative to other items
- arrange
more general; does not necessarily imply a straight line
文法句型
line up + [object]
line up + [object] + with + [reference point]
用法筆記
The object can appear between 'line' and 'up' (e.g. 'line the chairs up') or after 'line up' (e.g. 'line up the chairs'). Both patterns are correct.
常見錯誤
3. to organise or secure something such as a job, meeting, or performer so that it
to organise or secure something such as a job, meeting, or performer so that it is ready when needed
Ananya lined up three job interviews before she even handed in her notice at the old office.
line up + [job/interview]
The wedding planner has already lined up a photographer, a band, and a caterer for June.
Tariq managed to line up funding from two different investors for his startup idea.
The festival director spent months lining up headline acts from around the world.
We should line up a babysitter now if we want to go out on Saturday night.
文法句型
line up + [job/interview/guest]
have + [something] + lined up
用法筆記
Object is typically something that needs advance planning: a job, a meeting, a guest, funding, or a service. The perfect form 'have something lined up' is very common in spoken English.