crossing the line
Exceeding acceptable limits
Crossing the line means going beyond acceptable limits—violating a boundary of propriety, ethics, or decency.
The line is often implicit until someone crosses it: That joke crossed the line.
What constitutes the line varies by context and relationship.
Someone who crosses the line has gone too far, whether in humor, aggression, or intimacy.
Line marking a limit
- violationBreaking of rules
- breachBreaking of agreement
- oversteppingExceeding appropriate bounds
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
infringement · encroachment · offense · misconduct · impropriety · indiscretion · disrespect · affront
boundary
Line marking a limit
- violationBreaking of rules
- breachBreaking of agreement
- oversteppingExceeding appropriate bounds
trespass · infringement · encroachment · offense · misconduct · impropriety · indiscretion · disrespect · affront · provocation
- seafaringship, sailors, ships, sail, sailor
- finish line expressionsphoto finish, down to the wire, home stretch, final stretch, final lap
- going too faroverdo, overstepping, overstep, go overboard, overkill
- Royal NavyRoyal Navy, admiral, warship, HMS Victory, battleship
- naval traditionsringing bells, watches, ship christening, ship's bell, colors
- nautical termsahoy, afloat, aye aye, aye-aye, becalmed
crossing the linetoeing the line
Adhering to expectations
coloring inside the lines · staying in one's lane · conforming
crossing the lineholding back
Preventing forward movement
biting one's tongue · keeping one's cool · erring on the side of caution
crossing the lineplaying it safe
Avoiding unnecessary risk
erring on the side of caution · hedging one's bets · keeping a low profile
line, cross, lines, lined, outline, crossing, underline, crossed, outlined