線せん上じょう

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

on a line; on the line

Literal spatial meaning: located on a line, such as a drawn line, a route, or a boundary line.

• 点てんが線せん上じょうに並ならんでいる。

  The dots are lined up on the line.

• この線せん上じょうをまっすぐ歩あるいてください。

  Please walk straight along this line.

noun

on the borderline; on the verge; on the brink

Figurative use: at a critical dividing point between two states, often with 〜の線上 or 〜線上にある.

• 彼かれの提てい案あんは実じつ現げん可か能のう性せいの線せん上じょうにある。

  His proposal is on the borderline of feasibility.

• 交こう渉しょうは決けつ裂れつの線せん上じょうにある。

  The negotiations are on the verge of breaking down.