cross the line

phrase

: to go beyond what is proper or acceptable

Her criticism crossed the line from helpful to just plain hurtful.

The magazine crossed the line when they printed the nude photos.

Examples of cross the line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers define workplace bullying as harmful acts of mistreatment between people that go beyond incivility and cross the line to intentionally cause harm. — Jason Walker, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026

The growing debate has also raised questions about restaurant etiquette, with experts warning that excessive modifications can cross the line from reasonable requests into entitlement. — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Where individuals cross the line, there will be consequences. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026

Brett may or may not be dating a bot, Heavy lies to his wife, and Lynelle married Lee (Darren Gilshenan), the only cast member whose eccentric choices cross the line into outright villainy. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for cross the line

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline