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
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At what point does this cross the line from helpful to manipulative? Jason Snyder, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 Nevertheless, Turley warns in his opinion column, any financial sanctions must be careful not to cross the line into coercion, which the Court has previously cautioned against. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024 Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one's team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 Products that closely resemble an iconic designer item without blatantly ripping off their trademark, often called dupes, exist in a legal gray area and can cross the line from being simply an homage to a popular style to infringing on a copyright. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for cross the line 

Dictionary Entries Near 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 30 Jan. 2025.

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