Dictionary entry
get a line
/ɡet ə lain/
verb
（口语）打听到关于（某人或某事）的情报；查明，弄清
to obtain information about someone or something, especially by asking
常用于口语，指通过询问或打听获取信息。
<口>取得关于...的情报；打听明白(某人或某事)
In use
I need to get a line on the new manager before our meeting.
She tried to get a line on the competition by talking to former employees.
Can you get a line on whether the project will be approved?
get a line on sb/sth
使用介词on引出打听的对象。
I need to get a line on the new boss before the meeting.
我需要在会议前打听清楚新上司的情况。
get a line about sb/sth
about也可用于引出打听的内容，但on更常见。
She got a line about the project from her colleague.
她从同事那里打听到了关于那个项目的消息。
Common mistakes
I need to get a line about his background.I need to get a line on his background.
短语"get a line"后接介词"on"，而非"about"，意为“获得关于...的信息”。
I got a line him yesterday.I got a line on him yesterday.
“get a line”是动词短语，需要介词“on”来引出对象，不能直接跟宾语。
Connections
Confusing words
- get a clue
- 得到线索；明白 · get a clue 强调突然明白或理解某事，而 get a line 强调主动打听或获取情报。
- get wind of
- 听到风声；获悉 · get wind of 指无意中听到或间接得知，而 get a line 指主动打听或获取准确情报。
Learner notes
Grammar Note
固定搭配须用介词 on 引出打听对象（get a line on sb/sth），介词 on 不可省略；多用于口语。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT.