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Glite Dictionary
to draw a line

to draw a line

8 3.8
Set a clear limit on what is acceptable
  • phrasal verb
: marcar un límite
  • The teacher had to draw a line regarding acceptable behavior in the classroom.

You know, I just don't draw a line at art.

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Examples

  • Simply put, courts cannot be expected to arbitrarily draw a line of permissible tax between the five dollar amount for "any other weapons" and the two hundred dollar tax for other NFA-regulated firearms.

    Academic text (2016)

  • In debates about internet privacy, it's essential to draw a line between personal freedom and security.

  • At some point, you do have to draw a line.

    Blog text (29)

  • From this day forward, I shall quit all of its organizations and draw a line setting myself free.

    Blog text (9)

  • And now the Russians are drawing a line in the sand with respect to Syria and Iran.

    Blog text (5)

  • Clearly, drawing a line between a governmental blind eye and individual enterprise is not an easy task.

    Academic text (2010)

  • Can and should judges attempt to use unconscionability to draw a line between acceptable and unacceptable market behaviors?

    Academic text (2016)

  • Although chemist "Michelle" felt that "family life was something realized and accepted" in her department, her colleagues "drew a line," and talk about families did not often come into the workplace.

    Academic text (2005)

  • However, reading the document gives one the impression that Islam is chosen as an example quite consciously in order to draw a line between those religions with which one can undertake common prayer and those with which one cannot.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Although in Bosnia vast areas are ethnically cleansed, it is still not possible to draw a line and completely separate Bosnjaks, Serbs, and Croats.

    Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

to define
vsto draw a line
252 1.0

To make the shape or edges of something clear

narrows that act to establishing what is acceptable behaviour
to draw the line
vsto draw a line
  • Informal
82 4.1

Set a clear limit on what you will accept

is a general act of setting acceptable limits
to draw a line in the sand
vsto draw a line
10 6.7

To set a clear limit that must not be crossed

establishes acceptable limits without stressing immediate consequences
to demarcate
vsto draw a line
4 7.9

To mark the border between two areas with a line or fence

applies the marking idea to behaviour and acceptability rather than places
to delineate
vsto draw a line
  • Formal
2 7.0

To draw the shape or edge of something clearly

uses outlining to state enforceable or social acceptability rather than form
to mark the boundary
vsto draw a line
1 3.9

To show the line that separates two places

concerns drawing limits about acceptable conduct rather than physical borders
to delimit
vsto draw a line
  • Formal
1 7.0

To mark the edges of an area or idea

focuses more on declaring what is acceptable rather than precision
to set a clear boundary
vsto draw a line
4.1

To make a clear line between two areas or kinds of activity

specifies those separations as limits of acceptable conduct
to delimitate
vsto draw a line
  • Formal
8.7

Set or mark the limits of an area like a project

is used especially to state what behaviour is acceptable

Antonyms

to erase
144 1.6

Remove marks, writing, or digital files so they are no longer visible

How Strict

to limit
∞ 2.1
to draw a line
8 3.8
to refuse
716 1.7
to warn
∞ 1.0
to permit
531 1.5

Surface Forms

draw a line infinitive
drawing a line present participle
draws a line third person singular
drew a line past
drawn a line past participle

Morphology

draw + a + line

The figurative meaning 'to set a boundary or limit' is directly and predictably derived from the literal act of 'draw' (make a mark) + 'line' (a mark or division); the image of marking a line to separate or limit maps closely onto the metaphorical use. This compositional, cross-linguistically common metaphor makes the sense immediately accessible to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

The phrase draw a line comes from the simple image of the words draw and line: making a visible mark on a page or map to show where something stops. That's why it now means 'to set a clear limit' on what is allowed.