cross the line
Exceed acceptable limits
To cross the line is to go beyond acceptable limits—violating a boundary of propriety, ethics, or taste.
The line is often unspoken but understood: That joke really crossed the line.
Sometimes the phrase marks a point of no return: Once you cross that line, there's no going back.
In sports, crossing the line means finishing a race.
overstep
Exceed proper limits
trespass · infringe · limit · exceed · overreach · encroach · inappropriate · taboo · unacceptable · forbidden
insult
Offensive remark or action
- disrespectLack of regard
- affrontDeliberate public insult
- outrageFierce moral indignation
upset · hurt · wound · sting · slight · demean · belittle · humiliate · embarrass · offend
- Boundary phrasesno, stop, enough, boundaries, off limits
- fighting wordsfight me, bring it, square up, throw hands, step outside
- going too faroverdo, overstepping, overstep, go overboard, overkill
- excessexcess, too much, excessive, excessiveness, overabundance
- making troublemake waves, stir the pot, raise Cain, kick up a fuss, upset the apple cart
- boundariesboundary, borders, border, edges, edge
cross the linetoe the line
Adhere to standards
play by the rules · color inside the lines · know one's place · stay in one's lane · behave oneself
cross the linekeep one's cool
Maintain emotional control
bite one's tongue · rein it in · count to ten · walk away · let it go
line, cross, crossing, crossed, crosses, crossroads, crosswalk, crossroad, crossover