cross the line

idiom

: 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

Did Miley Cyrus cross the line between oblivious and rude? —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 24 June 2025

Protecting the safety of our communities and upholding the integrity of lawful demonstrations are priorities, and those who cross the line into violence will be prosecuted swiftly and to the fullest extent of the law. —Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 18 June 2025

But in the gray area between sharing some parts of your life outside of work and keeping it professional, your boss might accidentally cross the line. —Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 15 May 2025

However, sometimes, without realizing it, venting can cross the line into something more persistent: chronic complaining. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

Rhymes for cross the line

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine