# toe the line

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/toe-the-line
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To abide by the rules or conventions; (politics, in particular) to follow the party line.

## Examples

- You must toe the line if you want to keep your job.
- Students who refuse to toe the line often face detention after school.
- New recruits must toe the line during their first month of basic training.
- The new manager expects everyone to toe the line and follow the company rules strictly.
- If you want to stay on the professional sports team, you have to toe the line regarding your diet and training schedule.
- Even though she disagrees with the dress code, she chooses to toe the line to avoid any unnecessary conflict with her supervisors.
- Despite his personal reservations about the new policy, the politician decided to toe the line to maintain support within his party.

## Origin

The origin of the phrase is unknown, with competing theories dividing the etymology between the United States and the United Kingdom. While the precise circumstances of the first line to be so addressed remain unverified, both nations claim the idiom's inception.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.