fall in line

idiom

The phrase "fall in line" is often used to describe the act of conforming to rules or aligning oneself with a group, both physically and metaphorically.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

B2General

(figurative, common)To conform to established rules or standards.

Example

Employees are expected to fall in line with the company's policies.

B2General

(figurative, common)To align oneself with the opinions or actions of a group.

Example

He finally fell in line with the rest of the team after some persuasion.

B2General

(figurative, common)To obey or comply with authority or directives.

Example

The new recruits quickly fell in line with the drill sergeant's commands.

B1Philippines

(literal, regional)To stand in a queue.

Example

Students were asked to fall in line before entering the classroom.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "fall in line":

fall in with line up toe the line in line follow suit fall in fall together fall into fall back walk a straight line down line fall on party line out of line take the fall fall to walk the line fall behind fall in love line of march falling together on the line play along fall down walk in straight lines stand in in step fall due drop behind fall for close ranks bow down