Lives on the line
These days whenever "our boys" (in the armed services; police force sorry, service; etc. ) are mentioned, journalists, politicians and interested parties say that 'government should do such and such' or 'so and so should be more grateful' because they "put their lives on the line".

On what line?

Prior to watching rather too many 1980s Hollywood action films, nobody used this phrase. When it was first coined it was a useful euphemism.

But nowadays, every hack journalist, Tory politician and harrumphing phone-in ranter seems only express the idea that:
lives are at risk
lives are in danger
lives are in jeopardy
lives are under threat
people are in harm's way
with the phrase "... (are putting their) lives on the line"

And that's just the common idiom, never mind more creative or poetic ideas which, as professional writers/thinkers, journalists and politicians ought to be able to come up with.

But no. All we get is "...on the line".
( shinyshinyscalp less a man, more a way of life, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 14:28, 2 replies)

The front line
( alwayslostinsmoke fulfilling dreams since, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 14:34, closed)

^This
but I'll expand.

The British army used to fight in line. A thin red line topped with steel I think the quote went.

We fought in ranks of two - sometimes three - with the line being 200 or so soldiers long.

To put your life on the line was to have the courage to stand while the enemy drew ever closer. To fire, load, fire, load and never take a step back.

Of course, the bravery to stand was helped by the fact that we shot anyone who ran away....

Cheers
( Legless Mister Stabby - shanks for the memory, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 14:43, closed)

Ok, point taken on the origin of the phrase
but I stand by my annoyance at it being the only fucking phrase anyone ever uses to convey the meaning "someone might get killed".

Especially when the thing that is on the line is not a life, but a non-donkey-related "ass".
( shinyshinyscalp less a man, more a way of life, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 14:45, closed)

reminds me of
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUKOebCbINc
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 14:47, closed)