along the lines of

along the lines of

1. (idiomatic) Similar to, but not exactly equal.

   Synonym: on the lines of

   I was thinking along the lines of writing to the local paper, to see if we can get some reaction.

   • 2022 September 7, “Stop & Examine”, in RAIL, number 965, page 71:

     "The railman on the platform, whom I knew well, looked a bit bemused and asked what I was doing. Thinking it a silly question, I said something along the lines of 'what do you think? I'm going home to bed'.
     "He then said 'but you don't live here anymore'.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see along,‎ the,‎ lines,‎ of.

   The shape is folded along the lines of symmetry.

• to the effect of

• “along the lines of”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.