clothesline, v. Chiefly U.S. Sport.
Brit. /ˈkləʊ(ð)zlʌɪn/, U.S. /ˈkloʊ(ð)zˌlaɪn/
[‹ clothes-line n. at clothes n. Compounds 2.]
trans. To knock (a person) down with a blow to the neck (or sometimes head), esp. by placing an outstretched arm in his or her path; (Amer. Football) to tackle (a player) in this way.
| 1959 Stevens Point (Wisconsin) Daily Jrnl. 15 Aug. 6/2 He was supposed to swing tight. I think one of the Colts' pluggers clotheslined him (accidentally hit him across the throat). 1970 B. Libby Life in Pit vi. 85 Deacon drove at Browns' quarterback Gary Lane and ‘clothes-lined’ him, wrapping a straight arm under his head. 1999 D. Century Street Kingdom vi. 191 He reached out from the pay phone to clothesline Dante as they came past. |