line went dead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "line went dead" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where a phone call is suddenly disconnected or where there is no longer any sound or communication on the line. Example: "I was talking to her when suddenly the line went dead, and I couldn't reach her again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The line went dead.

The New York Times

The phone line went dead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then the line went dead.

The New York Times

Then the phone line went dead.

Independent

We're falling!" Or The line went dead.

The New York Times

Then their internet line went dead.

The Guardian

And then the telephone line went dead.

The New Yorker

Then, she said, the line went dead.

The New York Times

Then, abruptly, the line went dead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then the line went dead, leaving Private Bales's mother weepy.

The New York Times

"However," said the article, "the line went dead".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "line went dead" to describe a sudden, unexpected interruption in a phone call or communication. It effectively conveys a sense of abruptness and finality.

Common error

Avoid using "line went dead" when describing other technical issues, such as a computer crashing or a power outage, unless it directly affects phone communication. It's specific to communication lines.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "line went dead" functions primarily as a declarative statement, describing a sudden cessation of communication over a telephone line. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage in real-world contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "line went dead" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the abrupt end of a phone call or communication line. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent use in news and media demonstrates its wide acceptance and understanding. While alternatives exist, such as "the call dropped" or "the connection was lost", "line went dead" effectively conveys the sudden and often unexpected nature of the disconnection. It's suitable for neutral contexts and should be used to specifically describe communication line interruptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the call was disconnected

Focuses on the action of the call being terminated.

the connection was lost

Emphasizes the loss of a link between two communicating parties.

the call dropped

A more informal way to describe a sudden disconnection.

the signal was lost

Highlights the signal failure as the reason for the interruption.

the phone cut out

Suggests an abrupt and unexpected termination of the phone connection.

the call was interrupted

A broader term indicating that the call faced an impediment.

communication ceased

A more formal way of indicating the end of communication.

the connection failed

Highlights the failure of the connection itself.

the call ended abruptly

Focuses on the suddenness of the call termination.

the phone went silent

Emphasizes the absence of sound after the interruption.

FAQs

What does it mean when the "line went dead"?

When the "line went dead", it means a phone call or communication channel was abruptly disconnected, often unexpectedly, leaving no further sound or connection.

What can I say instead of "the line went dead"?

You can use alternatives like "the call was disconnected", "the connection was lost", or "the call dropped" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "the line went dead" in formal writing?

While "the line went dead" is widely understood, more formal alternatives such as "communication ceased" or "the connection failed" may be more suitable for formal writing.

What might cause the "line went dead" during a phone call?

The "line went dead" can be caused by various reasons, including signal loss, technical issues with the phone network, or one party intentionally ending the call.