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
Continue reading … IN OTHER NEWS SHOWSTOPPER – Country star walks off stage after fans cross the line at concert.
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FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Customers who cross the line with verbal abuse and threats fall under the category of Customers Who Aren’t Worth Doing Business With.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Boston does not back down in the face of threats, and certainly when the threats and the tactics seem to cross the line, and seem to be against the law.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
Leclerc reported positive feedback, having qualified and finished the race in third, while Hamilton was able to charge from a pit lane start to cross the line seventh.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cross the line
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FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Customers who cross the line with verbal abuse and threats fall under the category of Customers Who Aren’t Worth Doing Business With.
—Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Boston does not back down in the face of threats, and certainly when the threats and the tactics seem to cross the line, and seem to be against the law.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
Leclerc reported positive feedback, having qualified and finished the race in third, while Hamilton was able to charge from a pit lane start to cross the line seventh.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 31 July 2025
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 15 Sep. 2025.
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