obscure line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obscure line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a line of text or verse that is difficult to understand or not well-known. Example: "The poet's work is filled with obscure lines that challenge the reader's interpretation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Who's there?" is an obscure line from a famous play.

The New York Times - Tech

His victory over Shirov was in an obscure line of the Sicilian Defense.

The New York Times

This insistence upon a racial incompatibility between Northerners and Southerners was hardly some obscure line of thinking.

The New York Times

"For this latest generation, there's an obscure line between lawful behavior and ethical behavior," Mr. Hong said.

The New York Times

What's really distinctive about "Community" is that it's so consistently about what it's about: every episode is a miniature essay on friendship and belonging, and nearly every incident and every obscure line of dialogue works toward those themes.

The New York Times - Arts

Representative Mo Brooks, Republican of Alabama, read an obscure line from "America the Beautiful" to make his point that respect for the rule of law must be inviolable: "Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law," he intoned.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

By putting the focus on obscure lines of the play, the familiar unexpectedly transforms into something surprising.

The New York Times

Along with hip designers like Raf, Rick and Ann, the store carries obscure lines exclusively in New York, including Label Under Construction and Carol Christian Poell, both from Italy, and Attachment from Japan.

The New York Times

A lot of marketing dollars went into them; but unable to inspire Apple's brand of religious fervour, they are now merely an obscure punch line.

The Economist

By continuing to obscure this line of thinking, we become part of a different facet of the body image and beauty culture problem.

Huffington Post

"Why won't you talk to me if you're so proud of what you're doing?" The protesters had a partial view into the warehouse they could spy the coyotes tossed from trucks and hung on the hooks but Beck at last placed a bloody tarp across the doorway to obscure the line of sight.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obscure line" when you want to emphasize that a particular reference is not widely known.

Common error

Avoid using "obscure line" when a more straightforward term like "unclear statement" would suffice. Overusing complex language can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscure line" primarily functions as a noun phrase where "obscure" modifies "line". It describes a line of text or dialogue that is not easily understood or well-known. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct usage, highlighting its ability to convey a lack of clarity or familiarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

20%

Books

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0.05%

Encyclopedias

0.05%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obscure line" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon way to describe a line of text or dialogue that is difficult to understand or not widely known. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It often appears in News & Media and Arts contexts, indicating complexity or ambiguity. When employing this phrase, ensure sufficient context is provided for readers to grasp the intended meaning. While "obscure line" is acceptable, alternatives such as "vague statement" or "ambiguous remark" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vague statement

Replaces 'line' with 'statement', focusing on the lack of clarity in what is said.

ambiguous remark

Substitutes 'obscure' with 'ambiguous' and 'line' with 'remark', emphasizing the potential for multiple interpretations.

unclear phrase

Uses 'unclear' instead of 'obscure' to highlight the lack of clarity in the phrase.

hidden message

Focuses on the concealed nature of the line's meaning.

cryptic reference

Highlights the mysterious and puzzling quality of the line.

enigmatic expression

Emphasizes the puzzling nature of the expression.

incomprehensible sentence

Replaces 'obscure' with 'incomprehensible', highlighting the difficulty in understanding the sentence.

unfathomable saying

Stresses the difficulty in grasping the meaning of the saying.

little-known passage

Shifts the focus to the lack of familiarity with the passage.

esoteric wording

Highlights the specialized or difficult nature of the wording.

FAQs

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

You can use "obscure line" to describe a part of a text that is difficult to understand or not well-known. For instance, "The play contained several "obscure lines" that left the audience puzzled".

What are some alternatives to "obscure line"?

Alternatives include "vague statement", "ambiguous remark", or "unclear phrase". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "obscure line" or "ambiguous line"?

"Obscure line" suggests something is hidden or not easily discovered, while "ambiguous line" implies that something has multiple possible meanings. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning.

What makes a line "obscure"?

A line can be "obscure" due to its use of uncommon vocabulary, its indirect or metaphorical language, or its reference to niche knowledge. Context often helps in deciphering "obscure lines".