walk the chalk

walk the chalk
or[walk the chalk line] or[walk the chalk mark] To act exactly as you are supposed to; behave properly; obey. * /That new teacher really makes the students walk the chalk./ * /In some classes the students play and talk, but Mr. Parker makes them walk the chalk./ * /That theater owner wants his place to be orderly, and if boys and girls don't walk the chalk, he puts them out./ (From the fact that sailors used to be asked to walk a chalk line along the deck of the ship to prove they were not drunk.) Compare: TOE THE MARK.

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • walk\ the\ chalk — • walk the chalk • walk the chalk line • walk the chalk mark To act exactly as you are supposed to; behave properly; obey. That new teacher really makes the students walk the chalk. In some classes the students play and talk, but Mr. Parker makes …   Словарь американских идиом

  • walk the chalk — ● walk …   Useful english dictionary

  • walk the chalk — or[walk the chalk line] or[walk the chalk mark] To act exactly as you are supposed to; behave properly; obey. * /That new teacher really makes the students walk the chalk./ * /In some classes the students play and talk, but Mr. Parker makes them… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • walk\ the\ chalk\ line — • walk the chalk • walk the chalk line • walk the chalk mark To act exactly as you are supposed to; behave properly; obey. That new teacher really makes the students walk the chalk. In some classes the students play and talk, but Mr. Parker makes …   Словарь американских идиом

  • walk\ the\ chalk\ mark — • walk the chalk • walk the chalk line • walk the chalk mark To act exactly as you are supposed to; behave properly; obey. That new teacher really makes the students walk the chalk. In some classes the students play and talk, but Mr. Parker makes …   Словарь американских идиом

  • walk the chalk line — phrasal or walk the chalk mark or walk chalk also walk a chalk line : to behave in a strictly disciplined or obedient way : conduct oneself without deviation from propriety …   Useful english dictionary

  • walk the chalk mark — phrasal see walk the chalk line …   Useful english dictionary

  • walk a chalk line — phrasal see walk the chalk line …   Useful english dictionary

  • walk chalk — phrasal see walk the chalk line …   Useful english dictionary

  • chalk — See: WALK THE CHALK …   Dictionary of American idioms

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