colour inside the lines
Follow the edges
To colour inside the lines is to follow rules and conventions, staying within prescribed boundaries.
The phrase comes from children's colouring books, where neatness means not straying beyond printed outlines.
It often carries a mildly dismissive tone, suggesting safe, unimaginative compliance: He's the type who always colours inside the lines.
Also spelled color.
- crayonsWax pigment sticks
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- good behaviorAcceptable, rule-following conduct
- markersPens with porous tips
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
follow the rules · boundaries · social norms · stencils · fine motor skills · orderliness · conformity · uniformity · art class · regulation · self-control · expectations · compliance · structure · precision · childhood · predictability · watercolors
colour inside the linesthink outside the box
colour outside the lines · break the mould · improvise · freestyle · let loose
colour inside the linesrebel
Authority defier
break the rules · disobey · rock the boat · go against the grain · act out
colour inside the linesthrow caution to the wind
Act recklessly, disregarding consequences
take risks · live dangerously · roll the dice · wing it · go out on a limb
colour, color, colours, colors, coloured, colored, colouring, coloring, colourful