Phrase guide

draw a line

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To delimit a boundary or border.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, idiomatic, often

Examples

  • 2008: Fareed Zakaria, The Post-American World, Chapter VII How to strike this balance —deterring China, on the one hand, accommodating its legitimate growth, on the other— is the central strategic challenge for American diplomacy. The United States can and should draw lines with China. But it should also recognize that it cannot draw lines everywhere.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

reasonably object (to) or set a limit (on)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I draw the line when it comes to lending money to friends!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: draw the line

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: restrict, restrain, trammel, limit, bound, confine, throttle

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.