PhrasesHub

Draw the line

    Definitions

      • set a limit
        Indicate a point beyond which something is unacceptable or cannot be tolerated

      • differentiate or distinguish
        Make a clear distinction or difference between two things or ideas

      • establish a boundary or boundary
        Create a boundary or boundary between two areas, ideas, or groups

    Examples of Draw the line

    • "I can't keep lending you money, you need to draw the line and start being financially responsible."

      "Draw the line" is an idiom that means to establish a clear boundary or limit. In this example, the speaker is urging the other person to set a limit on their borrowing habits and become more financially responsible.

    • "As a manager, I have to draw the line between being a friend and being a boss. I can't let my personal feelings cloud my judgment when it comes to making tough decisions."

      "Draw the line" can also be used to separate two different things that are closely related. In this example, the speaker is acknowledging that it can be difficult to balance being a friend and being a boss, but it's important to draw a clear line between the two roles in order to make fair and objective decisions.

    • "The artist drew the line between his personal life and his professional life, refusing to discuss his private affairs in interviews."

      "Draw the line" can also be used to separate two different aspects of a person's life. In this example, the artist is setting a boundary between his personal life and his professional life, choosing to keep his private affairs private and not discuss them in interviews.

    • "The teacher drew the line when a student started cheating on exams, expelling them from the class."

      "Draw the line" can also be used to establish a limit or consequence for breaking a rule. In this example, the teacher is setting a clear boundary for academic integrity by expelling a student who was caught cheating on exams.

    • "The athlete drew the line when they were accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, insisting on their innocence and undergoing rigorous testing to prove it."

      "Draw the line" can also be used to defend one's integrity or principles. In this example, the athlete is setting a clear boundary against accusations of using performance-enhancing drugs by insisting on their innocence and undergoing rigorous testing to prove it.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "draw the line" is commonly used to express the idea of setting a limit or boundary. It can be used in various contexts, such as in personal relationships, work situations, or even in politics. When someone says "draw the line," they are essentially saying that there is a point beyond which something is not acceptable or cannot be tolerated. This could refer to behavior, actions, or even beliefs.

    The phrase can also be used to differentiate or distinguish between two things or ideas. It is often used in situations where there is a fine line between two concepts or actions, and one needs to make a clear distinction between them. For example, someone might say "I can understand your point of view, but I draw the line at disrespecting others."

    In addition, "draw the line" can also mean to establish a boundary or boundary between two areas, ideas, or groups. This could refer to physical boundaries, such as drawing a line on a map, or metaphorical boundaries, such as setting boundaries in a relationship or within a group. It is often used to indicate that there are certain limits or boundaries that should not be crossed.

    Origin of "Draw the line"

    The origin of the idiom "draw the line" is believed to come from the practice of drawing a physical line on the ground to mark a boundary or limit. This practice was common in ancient cultures, where people would use sticks or other objects to draw lines in the sand or dirt to indicate where their land or territory ended.

    Over time, this phrase evolved to have a more figurative meaning, representing the idea of setting boundaries or limits in various aspects of life. It has been used in literature and other forms of expression since the 18th century and has become a popular idiom in modern English.

    Some sources also suggest that the idiom may have originated from the game of hopscotch, where players would draw lines on the ground to create a course. The phrase "draw the line" could then be used to mean "create a boundary" within the game. However, this is just one possible theory and there is no definitive origin of the idiom.