take a firm line

idiom

: to treat someone in a firm way
He took a firm line with his son.

Examples of take a firm line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But since some communities are resisting, Kanson-Benanav suggests that the next governor must take a firm line, even threatening to cut state transportation funding to communities that don’t comply. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Oct. 2022 Trump retweeted a post from Milwaukee police indicating protesters had thrown Molotov cocktails at its officers, urging law enforcement to take a firm line. Bloomberg.com, 2 June 2020

Dictionary Entries Near take a firm line

Cite this Entry

“Take a firm line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20firm%20line. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!