party line

[ pahr-tee lahyn pahr-tee lahyn ]

noun

1. the authorized, prescribed policies and practices of a group, especially of the Communist Party, usually followed by the members without deviation; official philosophy or credo.
2. the guiding policy, tenets, or practices of a political party:

   The judge was chosen on party lines.

3. a telephone line connecting the telephones of a number of subscribers by one circuit to a central office, used in some rural areas.
4. the boundary line separating adjoining properties.

party line

noun

1. a telephone line serving two or more subscribers
2. the policies or dogma of a political party, to which all members are expected to subscribe
3. the boundary between adjoining property

Other Words From

• party-line adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of party line¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Idioms and Phrases

The official policy of an organization or government, as in The current party line opposes legalized abortion in all cases . This term, dating from about 1830, was originally used for a political party's official policy but in the mid-1900s was almost exclusively applied to the rigid dicta of the Soviet Communist Party. Since then it has returned to looser use.

Example Sentences

The legislation has had broad support across party lines, and passed the House without opposition in January.

From New York Times

In a vote on Wednesday, the panel of three Republicans and three Democrats deadlocked along party lines, leaving the report unreleased.

From Salon

Following debate of the bill, MPs will get a free vote, meaning they will not have to follow any party line.

From BBC

"There was no consensus on this issue," Democratic Representative Susan Wild told reporters, adding that a vote had been taken but the bipartisan committee remained split along party lines.

From BBC

The government has taken a neutral stance, allowing MPs to have a free vote on the matter - meaning they can make their own choice and do not have to follow the party line.

From BBC