obscure lines

USAGE SUMMARY

"obscure lines" is an acceptable phrase when referring to something not easily understood.
For example: "The professor's obscure lines of poetry left the students scratching their heads."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

McKellen is at his best in the encounter with Gloucester where he uses all his technique to illustrate often obscure lines yet movingly fights back his tears when he talks of "this great stage of fools".

The Guardian

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 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

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

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

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

"You've got English teachers across the country who can recite every obscure line from Joyce and dress up as Hemingway, and we respectfully call them 'professor' and consider them elite intellectuals.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Russian news site RT.com said the quote is spoken by the "outspoken nihilist" Yevgeny Bazarov, while Fathers and Sons publisher Melville House describes it as an "obscure" line, reflecting "the opinion of a single character, one of the narrator's sons who belongs to the 'nihilist' movement, which by the 1860s had Russia's radical youth in an uproar".

The Guardian - Books

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obscure lines", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being obscured. Add specifics about why the lines are difficult to understand or interpret.

Common error

Avoid using "obscure lines" as a generic term for anything difficult. Be precise about what makes the lines obscure – is it the vocabulary, the structure, or the cultural references?

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscure lines" typically functions as a noun phrase, where "obscure" modifies the noun "lines". It describes textual content characterized by a lack of clarity or easily discernible meaning, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obscure lines" describes text that is not easily understood, often due to complexity or hidden meanings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct but infrequent. Its usage spans across News & Media, Science and Academia, suggesting a neutral register. Related phrases include "ambiguous statements" and "unclear passages". When using "obscure lines", precision is key; specify what makes the lines obscure to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unclear passages

Highlights the difficulty in understanding specific sections.

ambiguous statements

Focuses on the ambiguity of the statement rather than its obscurity.

veiled allusions

Highlights the indirect and subtle nature of the allusions.

vague remarks

Emphasizes the lack of clarity in the remarks.

impenetrable prose

Stresses the difficulty in understanding the writing style.

cryptic references

Suggests a hidden meaning or secret code within the references.

enigmatic verses

Implies a puzzling and mysterious quality to the verses.

blurred distinctions

Emphasizes the lack of clear differentiation between concepts.

hidden meanings

Shifts the focus to the concealed or underlying significance.

indistinct boundaries

Focuses on the lack of clear separation or definition.

FAQs

What does "obscure lines" mean?

"Obscure lines" refers to text, such as in literature or code, that is difficult to understand due to its ambiguity, complexity, or lack of clarity.

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

You might say, "The meaning of the poem was hidden within its "obscure lines"", indicating the difficulty in understanding the poem's message.

What are some alternatives to "obscure lines"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "ambiguous statements", "vague remarks", or "unclear passages" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "obscure lines" or "unclear lines"?

"Obscure lines" implies a deeper level of hidden meaning or complexity, while "unclear lines" simply suggests a lack of clarity. The best choice depends on the specific context and the intended nuance.