Toe the line

verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To abide by the rules or conventions; (politics, in particular) to follow the party line. idiomatic

    "Television shows these days do not always toe the line of decency and common sense."

  2. 2
    do what is expected wordnet
  3. 3
    To stand at one's mark before a footrace. idiomatic

    "Alberto Salazar is one of the most famous athletes to have toed the line at this great race."

  4. 4
    To be on a boundary or in a grey area between two states. idiomatic

    "Her stories often toe the line between fact and fiction."

  5. 5
    To push boundaries imposed by an authority; to push the envelope; to flirt with crossing the line. nonstandard

    "You were really toeing the line there with those comments."

Etymology

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

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