stay in line vs stay in queue

Both 'stay in line' and 'stay in queue' are correct phrases, but they are used in different regions. 'Stay in line' is more commonly used in American English, while 'stay in queue' is more common in British English. They both convey the same meaning of waiting in a line of people.

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Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 01, 2025 • 6487 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in American English to indicate waiting in a line.

"stay in line "

This phrase is used to instruct someone to remain in a line of people, especially when waiting for something.

Examples:

Please stay in line until it's your turn.
Children, stay in line while we walk through the museum.
It's important to stay in line at the grocery store.
Stay in line and don't push ahead.
The teacher asked the students to stay in line during the fire drill.

Show examples from the web [+]

Please remain calm and stay in line.
(Woman) All right, children, stay in line.
Let's go! Stay in line, sir.
Stay in line, sir.
Stay in line, please.
Stay in line, all right?
These Southerners need to stay in line.
It'll give the Powers a reason to stay in line.
I'm not going out unless I know he'll stay in line.
As long as he stay in line, he still keep his territory.
Nick will make it clear to them that all of our allies need to stay in line.
I stay in line, he keeps my family safe.
Run home and get my W-2s while I stay in line and fill out the 1040.
Here? I can't stay in line, Steve.
That's it, stay in line.
I say good things sometimes, so I'll stay in line.
You stay in line, you stay silent.
So I learned to be quiet and neat and careful to follow the rules and stay in line.
Will JUNG's boys stay in line?
Let's say you're right, that on some level... based on their belief in the scriptures... the fleet needs Laura Roslin in order to stay in line.

Alternatives:

wait in line
stand in line
queue up
line up
form a line

This phrase is correct and commonly used in British English to indicate waiting in a line.

"stay in queue"

This phrase is used to instruct someone to remain in a line of people, especially when waiting for something.

Examples:

Please stay in queue until it's your turn.
We had to stay in queue for over an hour at the amusement park.
The customers were asked to stay in queue at the bank.
Stay in queue and wait for your number to be called.
It's polite to stay in queue at the bus stop.

Show examples from the web [+]

Online, sending messages in queue.
We got nine calls in queue.
Because of enforced delays trucks are trapped in queues of tens of kilometres along highways.
When Helena and I went out, at that time he was too small to stand in queues with us.
Settlement of payment orders in the queue (1) The treatment of payment orders placed in queues depends on the priority class to which it was designated by the instructing participant.
Most Kaliningrad inhabitants travelling through neighbouring EU Member States have to pay a visa fee every time and stand in queues at the consulates of EU Member States.
Enjoy your stay in Portsmouth, Miss Price.
Let's stay in touch, though, this time.
They can stay in our old warehouse.
Charger stays in a neutral room.
No wonder you never stay in one place.
You stay in there and pitch.
I respectfully request a stay in these proceedings.
Stay in place at any cost.
And remember, plastic stays in pockets.
Certain animals my stay in prison.
Enjoy your stay in Los Angeles.
High bar stays in back, but parallel bars stay in The Rock.
Stay in the line, stay in the line.
I've been ordered to stay in your service during your stay in Alphaville.

Alternatives:

wait in queue
stand in queue
queue up
line up
form a queue

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stay in line vs stay in queue

"stay in line "

"stay in queue"

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