keep the lines open

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep the lines open" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to encourage ongoing communication or availability for discussion. Example: "During the project, it's important to keep the lines open so that everyone can share their ideas and concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Operators were reportedly trying to keep the lines open for calls related to the bombing of a government office building in downtown Oslo.

The New Yorker

Blair ended the call by saying: " I would like to offer a way out that is peaceful … keep the lines open".

The Guardian

Still advising Thatcher, Cradock believed that Beijing would be "ill-disposed to arguments in favour of greater [post-1997] [post-1997]n Hong Kong": the main thing was to "keep the lines open" andemocracyfor agreement on a modest pace of polinical cHong Kongough sthel imainssive by conthing wash decades of undemocratoc British rule).

The Guardian

Keep the lines open and flowing, even if all you can muster is just one word or two.

Huffington Post

Sign up for the best of VICE, delivered to your inbox dAccording

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Still, he has kept the lines open to Baghdad to hold onto multibillion-dollar contracts to develop new Iraqi oil fields.

The New York Times

The officer promised to keep the line open.

The New Yorker

If an abductor interrupts a 911 call, the child should try to keep the line open to allow the call to be traced.

The New York Times - Health

The Royal Scotsman and Orient Express are also occasional visitors while the Friends of the Kyle Line– who've fought to keep the line open – organise steam engine trips from time to time.

The Guardian - Travel

A spokeswoman for Northern Rail said on Wednesday: "It was part of our rail franchise agreement that we would keep this Denton service going in order to keep the line open.

The Guardian

The Liberal MP lobbied ministers and British Railway officials to keep the line open as a branch line serving Borders towns but he says they were "intransigent".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "keep the lines open", clarify the preferred method of communication (e.g., phone, email, messaging app) and expected response time.

Common error

Avoid using "keep the lines open" to imply that communication should be one-sided. Ensure that all parties have equal opportunities to contribute to the conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep the lines open" functions as an imperative, urging someone to maintain communication. Examples on Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from political negotiations to personal relationships, indicating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep the lines open" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that encourages maintaining communication or availability for discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts, including News & Media. To maintain effective communication, it is important to clarify the communication method and ensure two-way dialogue. Alternatives such as "maintain communication" or "ensure open communication" can provide similar meanings in varying tones. The phrase serves as a versatile and generally neutral way to emphasize the importance of staying connected and facilitating ongoing conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain communication

Focuses on the act of sustaining communication channels.

stay in touch

Emphasizes the act of remaining connected with someone.

preserve contact

Highlights the effort to ensure that contact isn't lost.

ensure open communication

Focuses on guaranteeing that there are ways for information to be exchanged.

facilitate dialogue

Stresses the importance of enabling conversation.

promote exchange of information

Highlights encouraging the sharing of data and knowledge.

sustain connection

Emphasizes making the connection continue.

foster communication

Indicates promoting and encouraging interaction.

continue dialogue

Focuses on ongoing conversation.

uphold relations

Stresses maintaining relationships.

FAQs

How can I use "keep the lines open" in a sentence?

You can use "keep the lines open" to suggest maintaining communication, as in, "It's important to "keep the lines open" during negotiations to ensure a smooth process".

What's a more formal way to say "keep the lines open"?

In a formal context, you can say "maintain open communication" or "ensure "lines of communication remain open"".

What does it mean to "keep the lines open" in a business context?

In business, to ""keep the lines open"" often means ensuring that there are consistent and accessible channels for feedback, updates, and issue resolution among team members or with clients.

Is "keep the lines open" only used for phone communication?

No, ""keep the lines open"" is a figurative expression and can apply to any form of communication, including email, messaging, or in-person conversations.