toe the line
Meaning: To follow the rules; to do what is expected of one.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: The expression originates from an early form of boxing, in which a line was drawn on the ground and opponents had to keep the toes of one foot on the line during their fight. Any opponent who removed his toes from the line was disqualified from the fight.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- tongue-in-cheek — Joking or sarcastic.
- turn a deaf ear — To ignore someone.
- turn the other cheek — Not to retaliate; not to pay back bad behavior with more bad behavior.
- turn up one's nose at something or someone — To scorn, snub, or reject something.
- under someone's thumb — Under someone's control.
- with bated breath — Hardly breathing at all because of fear, excitement, or other strong emotion.
More English idioms
- when hell freezes over — Never.
- beat about the bush — To speak or write evasively; to talk around an issue.
- beat the bushes — To search exhaustively.
- between the devil and the deep blue sea — Facing two difficult outcomes for the same situation.
- down to earth — Practical and rational; unpretentious.
- fair-weather friend — A person who is loyal in good times but not when times are difficult.
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