draw a line

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   to set a limit on what you will accept or do, especially in behavior or treatment of others

   Grammar: Often followed by 'at' plus a noun: draw a line at cheating.

   Patterns

   • draw a line at something
   • draw a line between something and something

   I don't mind helping him, but I draw a line at lending him money.

   The company draws a line at using customer data for advertising.

   She draws a line between being friendly and being too personal.

2. 2phraseidiom

   to make a clear separation between two things or ideas

   Grammar: Usually followed by 'between': draw a line between work and home.

   Patterns

   • draw a line between something and something

   Teachers must draw a line between helping students and doing the work for them.

   It's hard to draw a line between healthy eating and strict dieting.

   The law draws a line between free speech and hate speech.

Common combinations

draw a line under something

After the argument, they agreed to draw a line under it and move on.

draw the line at something

He'll eat almost anything, but he draws the line at insects.

draw a clear line

The policy draws a clear line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

draw a line in the sand

The manager drew a line in the sand: no more late submissions.

Synonyms and how they differ

set a limit

More direct and less idiomatic; draw a line often implies a moral or personal boundary.

make a distinction

Focuses on recognizing a difference, while draw a line emphasizes creating a boundary.

Commonly confused: draw a line or draw the line?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “draw a line”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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