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

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 did Church's Texas Chicken cross the line with their latest series of advertisements? —

Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 14 Nov. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for cross the line

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“Cross the line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross%20the%20line. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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