draw the line

IPA/dɹˈɔː ðə lˈaɪn/
IPA/dɹˈɔː ðə lˈaɪn/

draw the line — idiom

1. to refuse to accept or do a particular thing because you believe it is morally w

1.idiomB2
Definition

to refuse to accept or do a particular thing because you believe it is morally wrong, inappropriate, or beyond what you are willing to tolerate

Example

Tendai helps friends with homework, but draws the line at writing their essays.

draw the line at + gerund (writing)

Eve has wine with dinner, but draws the line at drinking during work hours.

Common collocations
  • draw the line at
  • draw the line when
  • drew the line at
Synonyms
  • set a limit

    more literal and less emphatic; carries less moral weight than 'draw the line'

  • refuse to go further

    a paraphrase rather than a fixed idiom; less concise

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

draw the line at + noun/gerund

draw the line + when-clause

Usage Note

Commonly followed by 'at' + a noun or gerund to specify the unacceptable action. The phrase can also appear in past tense ('drew the line') with no change in meaning.

Common Mistakes

I draw a line at eating meat.
I draw the line at eating meat.
the idiom uses 'the', not 'a'.
I draw the line to help him cheat.
I draw the line at helping him cheat.
use 'at' + gerund, not 'to' + infinitive.

Synonym discussion

Sense: idiom/1

All three phrases describe refusing to accept something, but they differ in connotation. 'Draw the line' implies a moral or ethical boundary — you stop because you feel something is wrong, not just inconvenient. 'Put one's foot down' is more forceful and suggests authority over others ('The boss put her foot down and banned overtime'). 'Set a limit' is neutral and factual, lacking the emotional weight of the other two ('She set a limit of two hours for the meeting'). Use 'draw the line' when the refusal is personal and value-driven: e.g. 'I will help you move house, but I draw the line at cleaning your bathroom.'

set a limitput one's foot downrefuse to go further

Etymology

English

This idiom comes from the literal act of drawing a line on the ground or on a page to mark a boundary that should not be crossed. The figurative use — setting a limit on what one considers acceptable behaviour — appeared in the late 1700s and became common in English by the early 1800s.