to draw the line
82
4.1
- idiom
- Informal
- The teacher decided to draw the line when students started using their phones during the exam.
- draw the line at
- draw the line somewhere
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Watch on YouTubeWhere do we stop or where do we draw the line about understanding people's backgrounds?
- Where do we stop or where do we draw the line about understanding people's backgrounds?
- Where do you draw the line as a physician?
- And what should we draw the line on and say, no, we're not going to allow that.
- OK, We're going to draw the line there.
- But they all share attributes of life and where you want to draw the line is up to you.
- Where do you draw the line in America on gun ownership and gun use?
- But you do in a respectful manner, have to draw the line right there.
- And I think that's where a lot of people would draw the line.
- It's a hard, fine line to walk of where you draw the line of, you know, what's too much and what's not enough.
- Just where to draw the line between vibration and oscillation is somewhat unclear.
- And I asked you before he came out here if you were willing to draw the line and say I'm not going to settle for this.
- So it's very difficult to know where to draw the line between what's nature and what's not nature.
- And the question maybe we can think about is who draws the line and how are women framed?
- And that's what the law does, although scientists say, well, there's no place to properly draw the line, really.
Examples
-
But sometimes you have to draw the line, say no, and let the chips fall where they may.
Fiction book (2001) -
What people truly respect is when you draw the line and say, I will go no further.
-
Again, identify how you want, but I draw the line where they start to then make that law.
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And what should we draw the line on and say, no, we're not going to allow that.
-
Where do you draw the line in America on gun ownership and gun use?
-
Where do you draw the line as a physician?
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Ellie, this is where I draw the line.
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I hope you'll draw the line at murder, sir.
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We only have so much money and don't know where to draw the line for ourselves.
Academic text (2006) -
Simply stated, educators must draw the line and say "no more" to retention and yes to success.
Academic text (1996)
Synonyms
10
6.7
To set a clear limit that must not be crossed
8
3.8
Set a clear limit on what is acceptable
Antonyms
How Strict
- Formal
484
1.4
716
1.7
- Informal
82
4.1
∞
2.1
56
3.2
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
draw + the + line
The phrase uses a clear physical image—literally drawing a line to mark a boundary—so a learner who knows 'draw' and 'line' can plausibly infer the idea of setting a limit. However, this is a conventionalized metaphorical extension (especially in the pattern 'draw the line at X') rather than a strictly compositional meaning, so it is not fully predictable without some exposure.
Etymology
Draw the line comes from the simple image of someone drawing a mark on the ground or paper: to draw a line shows where something must stop. So, when people 'draw the line' today, they mean they set a clear limit they will not cross.