goes too far
Crosses the line
Goes too far means exceeding acceptable limits—pushing past what's reasonable, appropriate, or tolerable.
The phrase implies a threshold has been crossed: The joke goes too far when it mocks her appearance.
What counts as "too far" depends on context—a prank that goes too far causes harm rather than amusement, while a law that goes too far overreaches its legitimate purpose.
- overreachExceed one's capacity
- transgressViolate a boundary
- immoderateBeyond reasonable bounds
- overstepExceed proper limits
- overboardOff a vessel's deck
off the deep end · inordinate · intemperate · exaggerates · extreme · pushes the envelope · overdoes · backlash · overreaction · impropriety · excessively · hyperbole · overzealous · unrestrained · cross the line · out of line · beyond the pale · over the top
goes too farfalls short
Fails to meet standard
undershoots · not enough · too little · insufficient · inadequate
goes too farholds back
Restrains or delays
self-regulated · controlled · disciplined · restrained · moderate