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UKtoe the line
/tˈəʊ ðə lˈaɪn/
/tˈoʊ ðə lˈaɪn/to toe the line
[PHRASE]1
to unwillingly obey the rules and accept the ideas or principles of a specific group or person
What is the origin of the idiom "toe the line" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "toe the line" can be traced back to various sports, particularly track and field events. In these sports, competitors are required to position their toes on or behind a designated line before starting a race or performing certain actions, such as long jumps or shot puts. It is often used in professional settings such as workplaces, where employees are expected to follow established protocols, procedures, or company policies.
Examples
1. Now, I'm just toeing the line because I don't want to lose my family.
2. Well, I think, really, the question is what Republican elected officials are hearing from their constituents and what they're hearing from the Trump types and from Trump, because what they're hearing is, if they don't toe the line, they're going to lose their jobs.
3. You’ll see that the judges that become justices from the Democratic perspective toe the line, and they vote with each other consistently.
4. 2004 is also when he starts going after oligarchs who don’t toe the line, big Russian businessmen.
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