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line in the sand
01
a limit that makes clear what is considered right or accepted and what is not
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "line in the sand" and when to use it?
The idiom "line in the sand" originated from the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, where Colonel William Travis drew a symbolic line and asked his fellow defenders to cross it if they were committed to fighting. It is often used in discussions about personal relationships, politics, negotiations, conflicts, or decision-making processes.
Examples
I warned them that taking office supplies home was a line in the sand for me.
