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
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But how much is too much — and when does helping cross the line into enabling?
—
Jill Schlesinger,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cross the line
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Jill Schlesinger,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cross the line
Cite this Entry
“Cross the line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross%20the%20line. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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