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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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To get over the line

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "to get over the line" is correct and usable in written English
This expression can be used to describe achieving a particular goal, big or small. For example, "After months of hard work, they were finally able to get over the line and launch their new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're pretty happy to get over the line".

"I am just so thrilled to get over the line," the 30-year-old McDowell said.

Whether they can collect enough points to get over the line remains to be seen.

"But they should pick up enough points to get over the line.

A draw would have been a fair result, but we managed to get over the line".

Luckily for Catalans he then gave them the necessary lift to get over the line.

I couldn't have hand picked a better job but we need to get over the line".

I just wanted to get over the line, and I feel tremendous now".

The first one is always important, to have that winning habit; to get over the line.

This is a series we earmarked to get over the line and get a win.

"I'm hesitant to predict that it's going to get over the line now," he said.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "to get over the line" when you want to emphasize the effort and struggle involved in achieving a goal, especially when the outcome was uncertain or hard-won.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "to get over the line" when the achievement was effortless or expected. This phrase is best suited for situations where there was significant difficulty or a close call.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "to get over the line" functions as a verbal expression indicating the successful completion of a task or achievement of a goal, often after overcoming significant challenges. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase is used in various contexts to convey this sense of accomplishment.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

30%

Formal & Business

15%

⚠ Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to get over the line" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe achieving a goal, often after a period of struggle or uncertainty. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely accepted and usable in various contexts. The examples provided by Ludwig highlight its frequent use in news, sports, and general communication, with primary sources including BBC, The Guardian and The New York Times. While versatile, it's best suited for situations where the achievement was not effortless and implies overcoming challenges. When used correctly, it effectively conveys the sense of accomplishment and successful completion.

FAQs

How can I use "to get over the line" in a sentence?

You can use "to get over the line" to describe the act of finally achieving something, usually after a struggle. For example: "After months of hard work, the team finally managed to get over the line." It's similar to saying they "achieved success" or "accomplished the goal".

What are some alternatives to "to get over the line"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "reach the objective", "attain victory", or "secure a win". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the goal, the competition, or the successful result.

Is it better to say "get over the line" or "cross the finish line"?

While similar, "to get over the line" often implies more difficulty and effort than "cross the finish line". "Cross the finish line" is more literal and straightforward, while "to get over the line" suggests overcoming obstacles to achieve success.

When is it appropriate to use "to get over the line" in professional writing?

"To get over the line" is generally acceptable in professional writing, especially when describing project completions or achieving business goals. However, consider your audience and the overall tone; in more formal contexts, alternatives like "accomplish the goal" might be more suitable.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: