Phrase guide

toe the line

verb · 5 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 abide by the rules or conventions; (politics, in particular) to follow the party line.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Television shows these days do not always toe the line of decency and common sense.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: walk the line

Antonyms: cross the line

2

verb

Meaning 2

To stand at one's mark before a footrace.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Alberto Salazar is one of the most famous athletes to have toed the line at this great race.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To be on a boundary or in a grey area between two states.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Her stories often toe the line between fact and fiction.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To push boundaries imposed by an authority; to push the envelope; to flirt with crossing the line.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: nonstandard

Examples

  • You were really toeing the line there with those comments.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: sail close to the wind

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

do what is expected

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: comply, follow, abide by

History

Etymology

Unknown, with multiple competing etymologies and some theorizing the phrasing originated from the United States and others the United Kingdom.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: an der Linie ausrichten — to abide by the rules
  • German: nicht aus der Reihe tanzen — to abide by the rules
  • German: linientreu sein — to abide by the rules
  • German: an die Regeln halten — to abide by the rules
  • German: anständig benehmen — to abide by the rules
  • Hungarian: alkalmazkodik — to abide by the rules
  • Hungarian: követ — to abide by the rules
  • Hungarian: engedelmeskedik — to abide by the rules
  • Hungarian: igazodik — to abide by the rules
  • Italian: seguire le regole — to abide by the rules
  • Polish: podporządkowywać się — to abide by the rules
  • Polish: podporządkować się — to abide by the rules
  • German: Aufstellung nehmen — to stand at one's mark before a footrace
  • Hungarian: rajthoz áll — to stand at one's mark before a footrace
  • Hungarian: starthoz áll — to stand at one's mark before a footrace
  • Italian: superare i limiti — to stand at one's mark before a footrace
  • Polish: stać w szeregu — to stand at one's mark before a footrace