deli line

USAGE SUMMARY

"deli line" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the line of customers waiting to order food items at a deli counter. For example: "The deli line was out the door at lunchtime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He was standing by me in a deli line, tall with blond spiky hair like Bart Simpson.

The New York Times

"Imagine getting into a deli line, getting a number and realizing there are over 1,000 people ahead of you".

The New York Times

"With gas and food prices on the rise, more and more people are skipping the deli line and bringing lunch to work to save money," she wrote.

The New York Times

Law enforcement officials said that at his clinic, where Dr. Li saw up to 120 patients a day, patients were given numbers and then called as if in a deli line.

The New York Times

It is the town that likes to pride itself on being like no other, where people thrill to possibilities as endless as a Zabar's deli line and revel in problems as ubiquitous as pushcarts.

The New York Times

"We knew right away that we did not want to wait in the deli line for our number to be called and whine 'when will you do our disease?' " Ms. Terry said.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Only a day later, I'm happily part of a nude queue in the deli lining up for tabouli and octopus salad, while a hardbodied gay couple pore over a side of beef.

The Guardian

Small shops, restaurants and delis line Main Street, which dips down to the river from Broadway, a heavily traveled north-south road high above the water.

The New York Times

And to this day, kosher markets, Judaica-focused bookstores and delis line the street.

Huffington Post

The advent of supermarket deli ticket lines and other such devices are being readily adopted and even when no line exists, Italians appear to have an uncanny sense of when it's their turn.

WikiHow

The authority has gone to court only once, officials said, to challenge a deli called F Line Bagels in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, in 2005.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about food service scenarios, use the phrase "deli line" to clearly indicate customers waiting to be served at a delicatessen counter. This term is widely understood and provides a specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "deli line" when referring to general queues or lines that are not specifically at a delicatessen or sandwich shop. Using it in broader contexts may confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deli line" primarily functions as a noun phrase, specifying a queue of customers waiting to be served at a delicatessen counter. This is supported by Ludwig AI which confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deli line" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a queue of customers at a delicatessen counter. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for everyday use and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not exceedingly common, its usage is clear and consistent. When using this term, ensure it accurately represents a line at a deli to avoid confusion. If you want to change this phrase and still keep the same meaning you can try "delicatessen queue" if you are looking for a British english alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Delicatessen queue

Replaces "line" with "queue", offering a British English equivalent.

Sandwich counter line

Specifies the type of line by indicating the service offered.

Deli waiting line

Adds "waiting" to emphasize the act of waiting in the line.

Queue at the deli counter

Rephrases as a queue specifically at the deli counter.

Line for deli service

Focuses on the service being the reason for the line.

Deli service line

Highlights the service aspect with a slight change in word order.

Delicatessen serving line

Uses "serving" to specify the purpose of the line.

Line at the delicatessen

Generalizes the location of the line.

Counter queue at the deli

Inverts to emphasize counter and uses queue instead of line.

Waiting line at the deli

Emphasizes the act of waiting in the line.

FAQs

How can I use "deli line" in a sentence?

You might say, "The "deli line" stretched out the door during lunchtime," indicating a long wait for service.

What's a good alternative to "deli line"?

Consider using "delicatessen queue" if you want to use a British English term or simply "sandwich counter line".

Is "deli line" grammatically correct?

Yes, "deli line" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that is commonly used and accepted in both written and spoken English.

Is there a difference between "deli line" and "deli queue"?

While both terms refer to people waiting for service at a delicatessen, "queue" is more common in British English, whereas "deli line" is typically used in American English.