Meaning & use
toe the line
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Meanings
verbidiomfigurative
To obey the rules or follow the official policy of a group or leader, even if you might disagree.
Grammar: A fixed expression with no object; the verb toe changes form: she toes the line, he toed the line.
Patterns
- toe the line
- toe the party line
- toe the company line
Members of the committee were expected to toe the line on the new budget.
He refused to toe the line and published his own opinions.
Employees who toe the line usually avoid trouble with management.
verbidiomsport
To stand with the tips of your toes just touching a marked line, as at the start of a race.
Grammar: The literal origin of the idiom, used mainly in sport or military drill.
Patterns
- toe the line at something
The sprinters toed the line and waited for the starter's signal.
Recruits had to toe the line in neat rows before the inspection.
Each runner toes the line before the whistle blows.
Word forms
| third person singular | toes the line |
|---|---|
| past tense | toed the line |
| past participle | toed the line |
| -ing form | toeing the line |
Common combinations
- toe the party line
- Rebel MPs refused to toe the party line.
- toe the company line
- Managers are expected to toe the company line in public.
- refuse to toe the line
- She refused to toe the line and spoke out.
- expected to toe the line
- Students are expected to toe the line during exams.
- forced to toe the line
- The team was forced to toe the line after the scandal.
Synonyms and how they differ
- conform
- Conform is more formal and general, while toe the line suggests obeying a particular rule or authority, often reluctantly.
- comply
- Comply is used for following specific instructions or laws, whereas toe the line suggests staying in step with a group or leader.
- fall in line
- Fall in line stresses joining the group's decision, but toe the line stresses keeping to its rules.
- obey
- Obey is the plain neutral verb, while toe the line often hints that obedience was not entirely willing.
Opposites
Word family
- toe verb
- to touch or reach something with the toes
- line noun
- a mark or boundary, or an official policy position
- party line noun
- the official position of a political party
- conformist noun
- a person who follows the rules or accepted ways
Commonly confused: toe the line or tow the line?
toe the line vs tow the line
Tow the line is a very common mistake; to tow means to pull a vehicle, so the correct idiom uses toe, the part of the foot.
Practice
Several backbenchers decided they would no longer ___ on the controversial bill.
Choose one answer.
Toe the line is the fixed idiom for obeying the official position. Tow the line is a spelling mistake, and the other options do not form the idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “toe the line”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.