draw the line

1. To set a limit, as of acceptable behavior: “Phil sometimes drank a few beers, but generally he knew when to draw the line.”

Example Sentences

At the time, university leaders struggled to draw the line between free speech and unacceptable behavior under campus codes of conduct.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet, for all her boundary-pushing, she is clear about where she draws the line.

From BBC

Former Democratic congressman Harold Ford Jr. wondered where the United States would draw the line on “The Five.”

From Salon

Kusin said he draws the line, though, at creating models that don’t exist in real life, as Guess did in its ad campaign.

From Los Angeles Times

“Where do you draw the line between an organized protest and a conspiracy to impede?”

From Los Angeles Times