laying on the line

Verb

lay on the line (third-person singular simple present lays on the line, present participle laying on the line, simple past and past participle laid on the line)

1. (idiomatic, transitive) To state strongly, clearly, and accurately.
   • Martin presented the list to the 30-member House Republican Policy Committee, laid the facts on the line in cold political terms.1957 June 10, “The Budget: Remember Guam!”, in Time
2. (idiomatic, transitive) To risk.
   • California's Edmund Gerald Brown, 54, laid his political prestige on the line with a sheaf of legislative proposals.1959 July 5, “National Affairs: The Democratic Governors in 1960”, in Time