drawing the line
Establishing a limit
Drawing the line is establishing a limit or boundary beyond which one refuses to go.
The metaphor suggests a physical mark that cannot be crossed: I'll tolerate a lot, but I draw the line at outright lying.
It implies that while some things are acceptable, others are not—and the speaker has decided where acceptable ends.
- preferencesFavored options among alternatives
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- moral compassInner ethical guidance system
- lawBinding principle or regulation
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
self-respect · regulation · principle · conscience · integrity · enough · enough is enough · statute · conviction · limits · firm boundary · fairness · negotiation · final offer · accountability · ultimatum · last straw · values
drawing the lineanything goes
No restrictions apply
no limits · looking the other way · turning a blind eye · rubber-stamping · carte blanche
drawing the linesitting on the fence
Avoiding taking a position
waffling · fence-sitting · hedging · equivocating · punting
drawing the lineindulging
Satisfying a craving
giving in · caving · capitulating · spoiling · overindulging
draw, line, drawn, draws, drawing, drawings, drawer, drawers, redraw