| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Line of Battle. | | |
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The order of troops drawn up so as to present a battle-front. There are three lines—the van, the main body, and the rear. A fleet drawn up in line of battle is so arranged that the ships are ahead and astern of each other at stated distances. | 1 |
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All along the line, in every particular. The reference is to line of soldiers. | 2 |
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“The accuracy of the statement is contested all along the line by persons on the spot.”—W. E. Gladstone (Newspaper report). |
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To break the enemy’s line is to derange their order of battle, and so put them to confusion. | 3 |
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