in a long line

[Silverobama]

Hi,

Herman Cain is the latest in a long line of prominent U.S. politicians to face repeated accusations of sexual harassment.

What does "in a long line of" mean? Does it mean "there are many politicians"?

[SoothingDave]

It means he is just the latest of many such politicians accused.

[JohnParis]

A better sentence might be:
Herman Cain is just the latest of many prominent U.S. politicians to face repeated accusations of sexual harassment.

John

[Silverobama]

Thanks a lot,

What does "long line" mean here?

[Raymott]

Thanks a lot,

What does "long line" mean here?

What do you think it might mean - given that you've been told the meaning, and knowing what you do about literal long lines?

[Silverobama]

Sorry, Ray.

I don't quite get your meaning.

I think "long line" literally means a line that is very long.

But here....

[Raymott]

Sorry, Ray.

I don't quite get your meaning.

I think "long line" literally means a line that is very long.

But here....

Good, you're at least working on it.
Have you heard of time lines? It a way of conceptualising time, but representing it on a line. Let's say that every time a US politican was involved in a scandal, that event was marked on a time line. One event would only make a point, but since this often happens, the points would acumulate in a ... line. And what sort of line would it be, if there were many points on it? ...
It's a metaphor, just like the carrot stick. How are you generally at understanding metaphors?

[Silverobama]

Good, you're at least working on it.
Have you heard of time lines? It a way of conceptualising time, but representing it on a line. Let's say that every time a US politican was involved in a scandal, that event was marked on a time line. One event would only make a point, but since this often happens, the points would acumulate in a ... line. And what sort of line would it be, if there were many points on it? ...
It's a metaphor, just like the carrot stick. How are you generally at understanding metaphors?

I am always working on it.

You can see my deduction after my questions every time, I am not waiting for an answer of each thread.

I don't know "long line" is a metaphor, I thought it was an idiom. But now I understand. Thanks a lot

Actually, after my question I answered my question.

[Raymott]

I am always working on it.

You can see my deduction after my questions every time, I am not waiting for an answer of each thread.

I don't know "long line" is a metaphor, I thought it was an idiom. But now I understand. Thanks a lot

Actually, after my question I answered my question.

It is an idiom - based on a metaphor.