out of line

out of line — idiom

1. describes words or actions that go further than what people consider socially ac

1.慣用語B2
釋義

describes words or actions that go further than what people consider socially acceptable or appropriate in a given situation

例句

Karim was completely out of line shouting at the waiter for bringing the wrong dish.

be out of line + intensifier (completely)

The manager said the new employee's joke about the boss was out of line.

同義詞
  • inappropriate

    more formal and general; lacks the strong social-judgment tone of the idiom

  • unacceptable

    stronger and more final; implies a clear boundary has been crossed

  • out of order

    British English equivalent; slightly more informal

  • over the line

    very similar in meaning but less common

反義詞
  • acceptable

    general opposite; describes behavior that meets social expectations

  • appropriate

    formal opposite; suitable for a particular situation

文法句型

be out of line

step/get out of line

consider/find something out of line

用法筆記

Usually functions as a predicate adjective after the verb 'be'. Common intensifiers include 'completely', 'totally', and the informal 'way'. The variant 'step out of line' emphasizes a deliberate violation of rules, while 'get out of line' focuses on the start of unacceptable behavior. This idiom is used more in British and American English than in other varieties.

常見錯誤

❌The students stood out of line in the hallway.
✅The students stood out of line and the teacher scolded them.
💡The physical meaning 'not in a straight line' is a separate, non-idiomatic use. The idiom 'out of line' always refers to inappropriate behavior, not physical position.
❌His behavior was out of line the rules.
✅His behavior was out of line with company policy.
💡When adding a reference point, use the preposition 'with', not a direct object.