toe the line

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To abide by the rules or conventions; (politics, in particular) to follow the party line.
To stand at one's mark before a footrace.
To be on a boundary or in a grey area between two states.
To push boundaries imposed by an authority; to push the envelope; to flirt with crossing the line.

En-au-toe the line.ogg

toe the line toes the line toeing the line toed the line tow the line

Unknown, with multiple competing etymologies and some theorizing the phrasing originated from the United States and others the United Kingdom.

walk the line sail close to the wind conform stay within the lines toe the mark toe the plank

cross the line

up to scratch

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