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Toe the Line

What Does "Toe the Line" Mean?

homeidiomsToe the Line
"Toe the line" is an English idiom. It means "to conform to established rules, standards, or expectations; to behave obediently and in accordance with authority."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "toe the line" used in a sentence:
  • In the military, soldiers are expected to toe the line and follow orders without question.
  • The employees were reminded to toe the line when it came to company policies and ethics.
  • Politicians often face public scrutiny if they fail to toe the line on campaign promises.
meaning for toe the line

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 "Toe the Line" 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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