draw the line

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draw the line (third-person singular simple present draws the line, present participle drawing the line, simple past drew the line, past participle drawn the line)

1. (idiomatic) To set a boundary, rule, or limit, especially on what one will tolerate.

   I don't mind if they have some fun, but I draw the line at anything that might harm others.

   • 1991 December 11, Tom Redburn, “Labor Standards: Where Britain Drew the Line”, in The International Herald Tribune‎^[1], →ISSN:

     By contrast, the British government draws the line at giving the Community a significant new role in setting minimum standards on working conditions, labor representation on corporate boards, and social affairs.

   • 2025 February 20, Juan Cole, quoting Ta-Nehisi Coates, “Ta-Nehisi Coates: If Democrats can’t draw the Line at Genocide, they can’t Draw the Line at Democracy”, in Informed Comment (juancole.com):

     We are at a moment right now where people are asking themselves why can’t the Democratic Party defend this assault on democracy […] and I would submit to you that if you can’t draw the line at genocide, you probably can’t draw the line at democracy.

• cross the line
• draw a line in the sand
• draw a line under
• red line