draw the line
phrase
variants
or draw a line
1
: to fix an arbitrary (see arbitrary sense 1b) boundary between things that tend to intermingle
drawing a line between good and bad art
2
: to fix a boundary excluding what one will not tolerate or engage in
helps clean the house but draws the line at washing windows
Cite this Entry
“Draw the line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draw%20the%20line. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.
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