to overstep the mark
3
6.2
- phrasal verb
- UK
:
pasarse de la raya
- If you keep making personal remarks, you'll overstep the mark and hurt someone's feelings.
But what I'm saying to you is that's what I, you know, they overstepped the mark.
- But what I'm saying to you is that's what I, you know, they overstepped the mark.
Examples
-
During the meeting, she overstepped the mark by criticizing the manager in front of everyone.
-
I might have overstepped the mark.
-
I can't forgive myself for overstepping the mark.
-
Effective influencers always enlist the support of their boss and are careful not to overstep the mark.
Blog text (8) -
Although I agree with a lot of Willis's sentiments, I think he has overstepped the mark in a few places here.
Blog text (23) -
He knew he was overstepping the mark with all these questions, but he just couldn't help it.
Fiction book (1995) -
His comments were inappropriate, and I believe he really overstepped the mark this time.
Synonyms
255
4.1
To be greater than a set amount or beyond what people expect
201
3.6
To exceed a limit or what people expect
201
4.2
Say or do something that is not acceptable and may hurt people
89
4.5
Act in a way that goes too far and is not right
58
3.6
Do something too much, more than needed
45
4.4
To do something more than is needed
15
6.2
To go beyond what you are allowed to do
12
7.8
To do something that breaks a law, rule, or your idea of right and wrong
11
5.9
To go beyond a limit or rule
10
5.0
Go beyond what people consider acceptable
1
6.3
To go past a limit people set and cause serious problems
1
5.3
To go beyond what is reasonable or acceptable
To talk too much and say things you should not say
How Acceptable
- Informal
89
4.5
- UK
3
6.2
12
4.9
- Informal
3
6.0
747
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to go beyond what is acceptable' is directly derivable from combining 'overstep' (to transgress or go beyond) with 'mark' (a limit or point). This compositional pattern (go beyond + limit) is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should understand the MWE.
Etymology
Overstep the mark comes from the simple image of someone stepping past a clear line or mark on the ground, and to overstep that mark meant moving past a set limit. So it now means 'to go beyond what is acceptable'.