fine line

fine line — idiom

1. the tiny but important distinction between two things that can be hard to notice

1.idiomB2
Definition

the tiny but important distinction between two things that can be hard to notice or judge

Example

There is a fine line between being confident and sounding arrogant.

a fine line between + two qualities

The teacher drew a fine line between helping students and doing the work for them.

draw a fine line between two actions

Common collocations
  • a fine line between
  • draw a fine line
  • walk a fine line
  • cross a fine line
Synonyms
  • small difference

    plain and literal; does not suggest the difference is hard to judge

  • narrow distinction

    more formal; stresses careful judgement between two ideas

  • thin line

    very similar, but often sounds slightly more dramatic or moral

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a fine line between + noun and noun

there is a fine line between + -ing and -ing

draw a fine line between + noun and noun

Usage Note

Usually used in the pattern 'a fine line between A and B.' It suggests that two ideas, behaviours, or results are close enough that someone may easily cross from one to the other.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect: 'There is fine line between courage and recklessness.' Correct: 'There is a fine line between courage and recklessness.' The phrase normally needs the article 'a'.

Synonym discussion

Sense: phrase/1

'Fine line' is the everyday phrase for a difference that is very small but important, especially when someone must judge where one thing ends and another begins. 'Small difference' is more literal and neutral, and may simply mean the facts are not far apart. 'Narrow distinction' is more formal and often appears in careful argument or analysis. 'Thin line' is very close to 'fine line' but can sound more dramatic, especially in moral contrasts such as the thin line between courage and recklessness.

fine line ↗small differencenarrow distinctionthin line

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • a fine line between
  • draw a fine line
  • walk a fine line
  • cross a fine line

Prepositions