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To lay down a challenge; to provide a test of commitment (often one which carries a high risk) to a cause.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
- 2007, Daniel Pyne, Glenn Gers (scriptwriters), Fracture, WILLY: It doesn't have to stick: we just need to get a court order for now - to keep Crawford from pulling the plug! With all the brain-power here, I'm sure somebody can come up with a pretext or call in a favor. Then we can tie this up in court while we arrange a state-appointed conservatorship - so we can protect her while we fight him on - NIKKI: What's the point, Willy? WILLY: The point?! [Willy stares.] Because she's drawn a line in the sand. One he already crossed, without truly understanding... and now he's standing out there alone.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
To create a real or artificial boundary or distinction between (two places, people or things).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
To indicate the threshold or level above which something will become unacceptable or will provoke a response; to create a boundary and imply or declare that its crossing will provoke a (negative) response.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- 2003 March 5, Robert Byrd, speech, North Korea: The Rising Peril, Even so, the current crisis might well have been defused weeks ago, before the two leaders started exchanging threats of war, had the United States agreed to talk directly to North Korea, as our allies in the region have been pleading with us to do. Instead, the Administration drew a line in the sand, insisting that the United States would not be blackmailed into one-on-one talks with North Korea.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Unknown. In the US, it is commonly accepted as a reference to the action of William B. Travis, who, in 1836, while commanding the defenders of the Alamo and contemplating a demand for surrender, drew a line in the sand and asked those willing to remain and defend the Alamo to their deaths to step across.
Across languages
Translations
12 source translations are retained for this English entry.
-
Chinese Mandarin:
挑戰底線 /挑战底线
(tiǎozhàn dǐxiàn)
— to lay down a challenge; to provide a test of commitment
-
Chinese Mandarin:
考驗決心 /考验决心
(kǎoyàn juéxīn)
— to lay down a challenge; to provide a test of commitment
-
Finnish:
haastaa
— to lay down a challenge; to provide a test of commitment
-
Chinese Mandarin:
劃分界限 /划分界限
(huàfēn jièxiàn)
— to create a real or artificial boundary or distinction between
-
Chinese Mandarin:
區分 /区分
(qūfēn)
— to create a real or artificial boundary or distinction between
-
Finnish:
vetää raja
— to create a real or artificial boundary or distinction between
-
Russian:
не переступать черту
(ne perestupatʹ čertu)
— to create a real or artificial boundary or distinction between
-
Chinese Mandarin:
劃清界限 /划清界限
(huàqīng jièxiàn)
— to indicate the threshold or level above which something will become unacceptable
-
Chinese Mandarin:
設置底線 /设置底线
(shèzhì dǐxiàn)
— to indicate the threshold or level above which something will become unacceptable
-
Finnish:
vetää raja
— to indicate the threshold or level above which something will become unacceptable
-
Finnish:
asettaa raja
— to indicate the threshold or level above which something will become unacceptable
-
Italian:
mettere dei paletti
— to indicate the threshold or level above which something will become unacceptable
