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
However, sometimes, without realizing it, venting can cross the line into something more persistent: chronic complaining.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
The Panthers, of course, are a very physical team, and sometimes physical teams cross the line, especially in the playoffs.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Their nastiness and tendency to cross the line showed up a couple of hours earlier.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Some of these hygiene product hacks truly cross the line.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cross the line
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
The Panthers, of course, are a very physical team, and sometimes physical teams cross the line, especially in the playoffs.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Their nastiness and tendency to cross the line showed up a couple of hours earlier.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Some of these hygiene product hacks truly cross the line.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 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 3 Jul. 2025.
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