Английский словарь американских идиом - lay on the line

or put on the line {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To pay or offer to pay. * /The sponsors had to lay nearly a million dollars on the line to keep the show on TV./ * /The bank is putting $5,000 on the line as a reward to anyone who catches the robber./ Compare: PUT UP. 2. To say plainly so that there can be no doubt; tell truthfully, * /I'm going to lay it on the line for you, Paul. You must work harder if you want to pass./ 3. To take a chance of losing; risk. * /The champion is laying his title on the line in the fight tonight./ * /Frank decided to lay his job on the line and tell the boss that he thought he was wrong./