overstep the mark

IPA/ˌəʊvəstˈɛp ðə mˈɑːk/
IPA/ˌoʊvɚstˈɛp ðə mˈɑːɹk/

overstep the mark — 慣用語

1. to go beyond what is acceptable or allowed in what you say or do

1.慣用語B2
釋義

越界；逾矩

言行超出合理或可接受的界線

to go beyond what is acceptable or allowed in what you say or do

例句

Mei overstepped the mark by reading her colleague's private notes.

Mei 偷看同事的私人筆記，做得太越界了。

overstep the mark + by + -ing form

Amir overstepped the mark when he shouted at the waiter.

Amir 對服務生大吼大叫，實在是逾矩了。

同義詞
  • cross the line

    slightly more informal; common in both British and American English

  • go too far

    more informal and conversational; can refer to any kind of excess, not just social behaviour

  • overstep one's bounds

    mainly American English; often used in professional or hierarchical contexts

反義詞
  • toe the line

    to obey the rules strictly and avoid causing trouble

  • know one's place

    to accept one's position and not challenge authority; can sound old-fashioned or negative

用法筆記

Common in British English; less frequent in American English, where 'cross the line' or 'overstep one's bounds' are more typical. Often used when someone's actions cause offence or breach a social or professional boundary.

常見錯誤

❌He overstepped his mark
✅He overstepped the mark
💡the idiom always uses 'the', never a possessive like 'his' or 'her'.
❌She overstep the mark yesterday
✅She overstepped the mark yesterday
💡the past tense is 'overstepped', not 'overstep'.