overstep the mark/line
idiom
: to go beyond what is proper or allowed by something
She warned us not to overstep the mark/line.
Examples of overstep the mark/line in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Although Hezbollah fighters have been engaged in near daily strikes in northern Israel, the group has – to date – appeared keen to not overstep the mark in a way that would invite a full-scale response from Israel or give reason for the U.S. to get further involved.
—
Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 30 July 2024
Would this long-time climate campaigner with a once controversial fondness for penning his thoughts to ministers overstep the mark in a constitutional monarchy?
—Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 8 Sep. 2023
For all their respect for the environment, Mei and her colleagues overstep the mark at one critical juncture.
—Lewis Gordon, Wired, 13 Oct. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 30 July 2024
Would this long-time climate campaigner with a once controversial fondness for penning his thoughts to ministers overstep the mark in a constitutional monarchy?
—Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 8 Sep. 2023
For all their respect for the environment, Mei and her colleagues overstep the mark at one critical juncture.
—Lewis Gordon, Wired, 13 Oct. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Overstep the mark/line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overstep%20the%20mark%2Fline. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share