toe the line

toe the line
toe the mark & toe the line
Fig. to do what one is expected to do; to follow the rules. •

You'll get ahead, Sally. Don't worry. Just toe the mark, and everything will be okay.

John finally got fired. He just couldn't learn to toe the line.

* * *
or[toe the mark] {v. phr.} To be very careful to do just what you are supposed to do; obey the rules and do your duties. * /The new teacher will make Joe toe the line./ * /Bill's father is strict with him and he has to toe the mark./ Compare: WALK THE CHALK.

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Toe the line — is an idiomatic expression with disputed origins. It is often equated to toe the mark, which has the same meaning: to conform to a rule or a standard. One documented origin of the phrase is as an athletics analogy that originated in the early… …   Wikipedia

  • toe the line — or[toe the mark] {v. phr.} To be very careful to do just what you are supposed to do; obey the rules and do your duties. * /The new teacher will make Joe toe the line./ * /Bill s father is strict with him and he has to toe the mark./ Compare:… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • toe the line — Ⅰ. toe the line INFORMAL ► to do what you are expected or ordered to do: »Companies are expected to toe the line and follow EU regulations. Main Entry: ↑toe Ⅱ. toe the line (US also …   Financial and business terms

  • toe\ the\ line — • toe the line • toe the mark v. phr. To be very careful to do just what you are supposed to do; obey the rules and do your duties. The new teacher will make Joe toe the line. Bill s father is strict with him and he has to toe the mark. Compare:… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • toe the line — toe/tow the line to do what you are ordered or expected to do. He might not like the rules but he ll toe the line just to avoid trouble. Ministers who refused to toe the Party line were swiftly got rid of …   New idioms dictionary

  • toe the line — If someone toes the line, they follow and respect the rules and regulations …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • toe the line — ► toe the line comply with authority. Main Entry: ↑toe …   English terms dictionary

  • toe the line — the choice is yours: toe the line or pack your bags Syn: conform, obey the rules, observe the rules, comply with the rules, abide by the rules, follow the rules; informal play by the rules …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • toe the line — verb do what is expected (Freq. 2) • Hypernyms: ↑comply, ↑follow, ↑abide by • Verb Frames: Somebody s * * * CONFORM, obey/observe the rules, comply with the rules, abide by the rules. → line * * * …   Useful english dictionary

  • toe the line —    If someone toes the line, they follow and respect the rules and regulations.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    If someone toes the line, they obey the rules and accept the principles laid down by a person, group or organization.     If… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”