on/along the lines of...

along the lines of (something)

Roughly similar to something; like something, though not exactly the same. Well, that's along the lines of what I have in mind for the new kitchen, but there are a few tweaks you need to make before it's right. This movie is along the lines of your old favorites.See also: line, of

on the lines of (something)

Approximately or imperfectly similar to something; very like something, but not quite the same. Well, that's on the lines of what I have in mind for the new kitchen, but there are a few tweaks you need to make before it's right.See also: line, of, on

along the lines of

Also, on the lines of. Roughly similar or in keeping with. For example, We told the architect we want a design along the lines of his own house but smaller, or Jane asked the caterer for a menu on the lines of the Morgans' wedding reception. This idiom uses line in the sense of "a direction or procedure," a usage dating from the early 1600s. See also: line, of

on/along the lines of ...

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on/along (the) ... lines

(spoken)
1 in the way that is mentioned: The new system will operate along the same lines as the old one.
2 similar to something; in a similar way, style, etc. to something: I’m looking for a silver teapot, something along the lines of this one here.
3 used for giving a summary of something you have read or heard: ‘What did he say in his defence?’ ‘Something along the lines of his being so drunk that he didn’t realize what he was doing.’See also: line, on