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Synonyms

out of line

Idioms  

  1. 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]

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

This is not the first time the “Percy Jackson” franchise’s so-called fans have been out of line.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Was he out of line for giving modest gifts to this woman and her children?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

“Pick ‘em out of line starting today, and maybe the lines will get shorter,” he said.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

However, FWS is challenging the government's guidance for where transgender prisoners are housed, saying it is out of line with the Supreme Court ruling.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

Claudia was ready to pull Jamie out of line and make him learn another part of the museum today, but she got a glimpse of the room they were to go to next.

From "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E.L. Konigsburg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.