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Line in the Sand

What Does "Line in the Sand" Mean?

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"Line in the sand" is an English idiom. It means "a limit that someone establishes, beyond which they will not go or tolerate."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "line in the sand" used in a sentence:
  • He drew a line in the sand when it came to working weekends.
  • This new policy might be the line in the sand for many employees.
  • The government's decision became a line in the sand for many protestors.
meaning for line in the sand

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Line in the Sand" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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