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toe the line

To abide by the rules or conventions.

Etymology:

  • Most likely derived from putting one's toe to a line, mark, or seam on a naval ship as a form of regimentation or punishment.
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Television shows these days do not always toe the line of decency and common sense.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Additional definitions for 'toe the line':

Toe the LineDo what you actually are supposed to do; obeying all the rules and regulations; one shouldn’t be disagreeing
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pisar la linea

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to toe the line

walk the linesign on the dotted linetoe-to-toetoe-to-toewalk the lineyellow linethe line is busytoe input one's ass on the lineSwallow Hook, Line and Sinkerwalk the lineon the linetoe the marksomewhere along the line

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    "toe the line." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/toe-the-line_7609>.

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