- toe the line
- do what you are told to do, follow the rules
The Military expects you to toe the line - to do as you are told.
English Idioms. Sayings and slang .
toe the line
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Toe the line — is an idiomatic expression with disputed origins. It is often equated to toe the mark, which has the same meaning: to conform to a rule or a standard. One documented origin of the phrase is as an athletics analogy that originated in the early… … Wikipedia
toe the line — or[toe the mark] {v. phr.} To be very careful to do just what you are supposed to do; obey the rules and do your duties. * /The new teacher will make Joe toe the line./ * /Bill s father is strict with him and he has to toe the mark./ Compare:… … Dictionary of American idioms
toe the line — or[toe the mark] {v. phr.} To be very careful to do just what you are supposed to do; obey the rules and do your duties. * /The new teacher will make Joe toe the line./ * /Bill s father is strict with him and he has to toe the mark./ Compare:… … Dictionary of American idioms
toe the line — verb To abide by the rules or conventions. Television shows these days do not always toe the line of decency and common sense. See Also: walk the line … Wiktionary
toe the line — or toe the mark phrasal to conform rigorously to a rule or standard … New Collegiate Dictionary
toe the mark — phrasal see toe the line … New Collegiate Dictionary
walk the line — verb a) To maintain an intermediate position between contrasting choices, opinions, etc. I sat at dinner, but satisfied myself with nibbling bread crusts, and witnessing the forlorn and perilous efforts of my friends to walk the line between… … Wiktionary
line — line1 linable, lineable, adj. lineless, adj. linelike, adj. /luyn/, n., v., lined, lining. n. 1. a mark or stroke long in proportion to its breadth, made with a pen, pencil, tool, etc., on a surface: a line down the middle of the page. 2. Math. a … Universalium
toe — toeless, adj. toelike, adj. /toh/, n., v., toed, toeing. n. 1. one of the terminal digits of the human foot. 2. an analogous part in certain animals. 3. the forepart of the foot or hoof of a horse or the like. 4. the forepart of anything worn on… … Universalium
line — See: BLOW ONE S LINES or FLUFF ONE S LINES, CHOW LINE, DOWN THE LINE, DRAW A LINE or DRAW THE LINE, DROP A LINE, END OF THE ROAD or END OF THE LINE, FOUL LINE, GOAL LINE, GOAL LINE STAND, HOLD THE LINE, HOOK, LINE AND SINKER, IN LINE, IN LINE… … Dictionary of American idioms
line — See: BLOW ONE S LINES or FLUFF ONE S LINES, CHOW LINE, DOWN THE LINE, DRAW A LINE or DRAW THE LINE, DROP A LINE, END OF THE ROAD or END OF THE LINE, FOUL LINE, GOAL LINE, GOAL LINE STAND, HOLD THE LINE, HOOK, LINE AND SINKER, IN LINE, IN LINE… … Dictionary of American idioms
