stand in line

Meaning

This phrase means to wait one behind another in a queue, typically to buy tickets, enter a venue, or get food. It is highly common in American English, whereas British English speakers usually prefer 'queue up.' It is used in everyday, neutral contexts.

Examples

• We had to stand in line for three hours just to get concert tickets.

  We had to stand in line for three hours just to get concert tickets.

• If you want to get into the comic convention early, you should stand in line now.

  If you want to get into the comic convention early, you should stand in line now.

• I don't mind standing in line if the movie is really worth it.

  I don't mind standing in line if the movie is really worth it.

• They stood in line outside the theater while it was raining.

  They stood in line outside the theater while it was raining.

• Is this where we stand in line to meet the band after the show?

  Is this where we stand in line to meet the band after the show?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We had to make a line to get into the cinema.

  ✓ We had to stand in line to get into the cinema.

  Learners often translate literally from languages like Spanish ('hacer cola') or French ('faire la queue') and say 'make a line.' The natural English expression is 'stand in line' or 'wait in line.'

• ✗ I am standing at the line for the show.

  ✓ I am standing in line for the show.

  The preposition 'in' is used because you are positioned inside the queue, not next to a physical line drawn on the ground.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you want to get the best seats, we should go and ___ right now.

  💡 Wait in a queue.

  Show answer

  stand in line

• I hate having to ___ for popcorn at the movie theater.

  💡 Queue up.

  Show answer

  stand in line