out of line
Idioms-
Uncalled for, improper; inappropriate. For example, His remarks were totally out of line . It is often put as get out of line or step out of line , meaning “behave improperly,” as in She really stepped out of line when she called him incompetent in front of his boss . [Late 1700s]
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Not in agreement with general practice, as in Their prices are way out of line with other hotels . Both def. 1 and 2 are metaphoric expressions that transfer being out of alignment to various kinds of behavior.
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out of one's line ; not in one's line . Not in one's occupation or field of interest. For example, He offered a generous salary, but the work was out of her line , or I'd love to help, but telephone solicitation is not in my line . This usage alludes to line in the sense of “a business or occupation.” [Mid-1800s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The sample period proved to be among the wettest in the river’s known history, so Powell’s estimate was way out of line.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
Any citizen who steps out of line risks the ire of an even dumber police force, riding around in cruisers that lift their design language from Ed Hardy clothing.
From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026
The final decision may disappoint you, but that does not mean your father acted out of line.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026
And when those incentives get out of line, I’m watching for that because it creates conflicts and then there should be opportunity right around the corner.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026
As we approached the church I started to shake and sweat, and just before we reached the church doorway, I stepped out of line.
From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
