crossing the line
The phrase "crossing the line" is often used to describe actions that go beyond what is acceptable or appropriate in various contexts, from social behavior to professional practices.
Definition
B2General
(idiomatic, informal)To go beyond what is considered acceptable or appropriate behavior.
Example
- His comments about her appearance really crossed the line.
- You can joke around, but don't cross the line into being rude.
C1Naval Tradition
(technical, historical)A ceremony performed on board ship when crew members or passengers cross the equator for the first time.
Example
- The sailors prepared for the crossing the line ceremony as they approached the equator.
C1Film and Video Production
(technical, professional)The rule of maintaining consistent screen direction by not filming from the opposite side of an imaginary line in a scene.
Example
- The director warned the cameraman about crossing the line to avoid confusing the audience.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "crossing the line":
cross the lineout of linetoe the linered linedividing lineon the linebattle linedraw a line in the sandenemy linepolice linecounty lineline of firefoul lineend of the linegoal lineback linegreen linecommon crossingbaulk linekick over the tracesstep over