overstep the mark

Meaning: To go beyond what is acceptable.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Example: “Joking about his divorce in the speech really overstepped the mark.”

Category: Daily Life

Origin: The "mark" is a line not to be crossed, as in sports or races. The phrase is found from the 19th century.

Equivalents in other languages

French: Pousser le bouchon un peu loin — literally: To push the cork a bit far

shoot down in flames — To reject or destroy an idea or argument completely.
rough around the edges — Lacking polish or refinement, though basically good.
smoke the peace pipe — To make peace after a quarrel.
seize the day — Make the most of the present moment.
bow and scrape — To behave in an overly humble or flattering way toward someone powerful.
jump ship — To abandon a group or cause, often for a rival.

come down on someone like a ton of bricks — To criticize or punish someone very severely.
set tongues wagging — To cause people to gossip.
give free rein — To give someone complete freedom to act.
left on the shelf — To be considered too old to marry; more generally, to be passed over.
take with a grain of salt — To be skeptical about something; not to take it entirely at face value.
Caesar's wife must be above suspicion — People in prominent positions must avoid even the appearance of wrongdoing.

Che piagnucolone — A relentless crybaby who finds something to complain about in every situation.
È un orso — Gruff, anti-social, and impossible to approach — they growl when spoken to and hibernate…
Faulpelz — A lazybones — someone who lounges around and avoids any effort, as warm and inert as a fu…