over-the-line
Past the boundary
Over-the-line describes behavior or remarks that cross acceptable boundaries—going too far, becoming offensive or inappropriate.
That joke was way over the line.
His comments about her weight were completely over the line.
The implied line marks the limit of what's tolerable in a given context.
The phrase functions as a compound adjective, often following a verb: You're over the line on this one.
Beyond permitted boundaries
- foulOffensive or illegal
- violationBreaking of rules
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- infractionMinor rule breach
boundary · sideline · baseline · footfault · illegal · referee · call · ruling
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
- crudeUnpolished, raw state
- tastelessHaving no flavor
- vulgarCrude or indecent
- indecentOffensive to accepted standards
improper · unacceptable · crass · distasteful · insensitive · raunchy · off-color · indelicate
out-of-bounds
Beyond permitted boundaries
infraction · boundary · sideline · baseline · footfault · illegal · referee · call · ruling · disqualified
offensive
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
indecent · improper · unacceptable · crass · distasteful · insensitive · raunchy · off-color · indelicate · disrespectful
bat
Flying mammal or sports club
- paddleballRacket sport with bouncing ball
- foulOffensive or illegal
- serveAttend to needs
hit · beach · sand · pitcher · batter · team · innings · singles · doubles · triples
- bat-and-ball gamesbaseball, softball, stickball, wiffle ball, tee ball
over-the-linewithin bounds
acceptable · appropriate · in bounds · proper · decent
over-the-linelegitimate
Conforming to accepted standards
legal · rule-following · sanctioned · authorized · fair
over-the-linerestrained
Held under control
measured · moderate · controlled · cautious · temperate
over, line, lines, lined, lining, liner, liners, lineage, linear