draw a line in the sand

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draw a line in the sand

To indicate the threshold or level above which something will become unacceptable or will provoke a response; to create a boundary and imply or declare that its crossing will provoke a (negative) response.

Etymology:

Unknown. In the US, it is commonly accepted as a reference to the action of William B. Travis, who, in 1836, while commanding the defenders of the Alamo and contemplating a demand for surrender, drew a line in the sand and asked those willing to remain and defend the Alamo to their deaths to step across.

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Collection Edit

Submitted on July 07, 2010

Additional definitions for 'draw a line in the sand':

draw a line in the sand	To lay down a challenge; to provide a test of commitment (often one which carries a high risk) to a cause.
draw a line in the sand	To create a real or artificial boundary or distinction between (two places, people or things).

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Translation

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砂の中に線を引く

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to draw a line in the sand

clothing line cut the line draw in draw a line bright-line rule double vertical line draw first blood cross the line draw on down the line draw a bath bury one's head in the sand draw down draw even

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Alex
US English
David
US English
Mark
US English
Daniel
British
Libby
British
Mia
British
Karen
Australian
Hayley
Australian
Natasha
Australian
Veena
Indian
Priya
Indian
Neerja
Indian
Zira
US English
Oliver
British
Wendy
British
Fred
US English
Tessa
South African

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"draw a line in the sand." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/draw-a-line-in-the-sand_12058>.

draw a line in the sand

Etymology:

Additional definitions for 'draw a line in the sand':

Translation

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to draw a line in the sand

How to pronounce this phrase?

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