go too far
Cross the line
Go too far means to exceed acceptable limits—to push past the point where behavior, speech, or action remains reasonable or tolerable.
That joke went too far.
The government went too far in restricting civil liberties.
The phrase implies crossing an invisible line, often only recognized after it's been crossed.
Someone who goes too far may face backlash, regret, or consequences they didn't anticipate.
- transgressViolate a boundary
- cross the lineExceed acceptable boundaries
- overdoExceed reasonable limits
- go overboardAct with excessive enthusiasm
- overreachExceed one's capacity
go off the deep end · push your luck · trespass · overstep · overstep the mark · exaggerate · carried away · overindulge · overexert · overshoot · escalate · infringe · overkill · overplay · violate · encroach · intrude · usurp
- excessexcess, too much, excessive, excessiveness, overabundance
- meddlingmeddle, meddler, butt in, horn in, intrude
go too farhold back
Prevent forward movement
stop short · draw the line · pull back · rein it in · fall short
go too farhold back
Prevent forward movement
moderate · temper · keep in check · tone it down · dial it back