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
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 
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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 31 Jan. 2025.
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