From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishlay somebody/something on the linelay somebody/something on the linea) INSISTto state something, especially a threat, demand, or criticism, in a very clear way Lay it on the line and tell them what’s really been happening. b) (also put somebody/something on the line)RISK to risk losing your life, your job etc, especially in order to help someone I’ve laid myself on the line for him once already. → lay
Examples from the Corpus
lay somebody/something on the line• I laid it on the line.• You give somebody else a chance, and guys lay it on the line for you.• I couldn't blame her; she'd laid things on the line from the start, as I had.• And Moonshake lay theirs on the line. right now; today, not yesterday. 