foul line

noun

Baseball. either of the two lines connecting home plate with first and third base respectively, or their continuations to the end of the outfield.
Also called free throw line. Basketball. a line on the court 15 feet (4.6 meters) from the backboard, from which foul shots are taken.
Bowling. a line on an alley at right angles to the gutters and 60 feet (18.3 meters) from the center of the spot for the headpin, across which a bowler may not step for fair delivery of the ball.

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

After all, the Thunder shot 15 of 24 from the foul line, a chicken-breast-thawing-on-the-counter clip of 62.5 percent.

The other team is at the foul line with no time left on the clock.

It was a mighty clout, but when it came down it was just about six inches on the wrong side of the foul line.

The ball fairly whistled as it left the bat and dashed along the ground just inside the right foul line.

A white chalk line, evidently a foul line marker had been drawn on the alley floor.

It looked as though the ball would roll over the foul line, and Willis waited too long.

It was a nice point; for on occasion a goal thrown from the foul line counts one.

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