across the line
Beyond the limit
Across the line means having crossed a boundary into unacceptable territory.
The line is usually moral or social: That joke was across the line.
Someone who goes across the line has violated norms of decency or propriety.
The phrase often appears after the fact—you've already crossed, and now you're on the wrong side.
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- borderOuter edge or limit
- stepFoot movement forward
- boundaryLine marking a limit
- improprietyUnsuitable or inappropriate behavior
touch · breach · violation · infraction · taboo · foul · offside · fair play · edge · paradigm shift · finish · threshold · turning point · frontier · breakthrough · misconduct · milestone · perimeter
boundary violation
across the linewithin bounds
acceptable · appropriate · in bounds · in line · aboveboard
spatial position
across the lineat the line
across, cross, line, crossed, crossing, crosser, crosses, crossly, crisscross