walk the line
Tread carefully between
To walk the line is to maintain careful balance between competing demands or expectations—staying just within acceptable bounds.
The phrase suggests disciplined self-control, neither straying into excess nor falling short: He walked the line between honest criticism and outright rudeness.
It can also mean toeing an authority's requirements: New employees learn quickly to walk the line.
- countrySovereign state or territory
- Sun RecordsPioneering Memphis recording studio
- rockabillyHillbilly-influenced early rock
- Folsom PrisonMaximum-security California institution
Man in Black · Nashville · Memphis · guitar · ballad · classic · anthem · hit
Taut cord for walking
- equilibriumState of balance
- teeteringUnstably balanced, nearly falling
- precariousDangerously insecure
- steadyFixed, not fluctuating
poise · narrow path · middle ground · moderation · tension · delicate · wavering · stability
Compliance with authority
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- rulesPrinciples governing behavior
- straight and narrowMorally correct conduct
- toeingPushing with foot-end
discipline · regulations · standards · protocol · boundaries · expectations · propriety · duty
Firmness of purpose
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- convictionFirmly held belief
fortitude · grit · dedication · consistency · endurance · resilience · tenacity · firmness
Careful, wise judgment
- carefulnessQuality of being thorough
- warinessCautious distrust
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
discretion · mindfulness · restraint · heedfulness · measured · calculated · deliberate · watchfulness
Johnny Cash
- countrySovereign state or territory
- Sun RecordsPioneering Memphis recording studio
- rockabillyHillbilly-influenced early rock
Folsom Prison · Man in Black · Nashville · Memphis · guitar · ballad · classic · anthem · hit · single
tightrope
Taut cord for walking
- equilibriumState of balance
- teeteringUnstably balanced, nearly falling
- precariousDangerously insecure
steady · poise · narrow path · middle ground · moderation · tension · delicate · wavering · stability · edge
obedience
Compliance with authority
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- rulesPrinciples governing behavior
- straight and narrowMorally correct conduct
toeing · discipline · regulations · standards · protocol · boundaries · expectations · propriety · duty · adherence
determination
Firmness of purpose
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
conviction · fortitude · grit · dedication · consistency · endurance · resilience · tenacity · firmness · purposefulness
prudence
Careful, wise judgment
- carefulnessQuality of being thorough
- warinessCautious distrust
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
circumspection · discretion · mindfulness · restraint · heedfulness · measured · calculated · deliberate · watchfulness · attentiveness
- sobriety testsfield sobriety test, breathalyzer, heel to toe, finger to nose, standardized tests
walk the linego off the rails
break the rules · color outside the lines · cross the line · step out of line · rebel
walk the linereckless abandon
Complete disregard for consequences
throw caution to the wind · live on the edge · play with fire · go off the deep end · live dangerously
walk, line, walked, walking, walks, walker, walkers, walkable, lines