Example: El bombero está en primera línea durante el incendio.
Definition
"Estar en primera línea" means to be in the foremost position or leading role during a critical situation, often involving direct involvement or exposure to danger, such as frontline workers or responders actively engaged in an emergency or conflict.
Translations
to be on the front line
in de frontlinie staan
estar en primera línia
être en première ligne
an vorderster Front stehen
Etymology
The phrase "estar en primera línea" comes from military terminology, where 'primera línea' referred to the front line of troops facing the enemy. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe anyone in a leading or most exposed position in various situations, including emergencies and social roles.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Estar en primera línea" appears in the Vocaplus list "Spanish - General - Modismos y refranes - (C1) - parte 1", containing 120 commonly used expressions.
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to be on the front line