below the line

English

Adverb

below the line (not comparable)

1. (bridge) Pertaining to points scored for tricks bid and won, which count towards game.
   • 2006, Barry Teare, Problem-Solving and Thinking Skills Resources for Able and Talented Children, page 118:

     If they make 2 hearts they will score 60 points below the line but as this is the first hand of the game they will not have already made another part score.

2. Taking place underneath an online article, video or other item of content, as part of a comments section or related discussion forum.
   • 2016 November 22, Harriet Gibsone, The Guardian:

     Visiting the Pornhub Records channel of the site for a quick – honest, Mum! – perusal reveals some confused below-the-line conversation but relatively impressive stats.

3. (marketing) Targeting specific demographics through trade shows, search engine advertising, etc. rather than the mainstream media.
4. (film) Who do not guide and influence the creative direction, process, and voice of a given narrative in a film, such as the boom operators, hair stylists, and location managers.

   Antonym: above the line

5. (television) Of expenses: paid for standard ongoing concerns such as insurance and technical equipment and crew.

   Antonym: above the line