across the line

USAGE SUMMARY

"across the line" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a physical or metaphorical line someone may be crossing. For example: "The police saw him drive across the line dividing the two countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not across the line!

The Guardian - Sport

I ran across the line.

The New York Times - Arts

Because I've strayed across the line myself.

The Guardian

Wilson attempted to play across the line.

The Guardian - Sport

Now you've stepped across the line.

The New York Times - Magazine

The man gazes across the line.

The Guardian - Arts

"And that was pretty much across the line.

The New York Times

Mitt's father moved back and forth across the line.

The New Yorker

Across the line, consummately familiar events can appear contorted.

The New York Times

But if he simply walks across, the line stays put.

The Guardian - Sport

He's running gamely all across the line, dragging defenders everywhere.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "across the line" to describe a movement or action that goes beyond a physical or metaphorical boundary. For example, "The runner sprinted across the line to win the race" or "His comments were considered to be across the line, and therefore inappropriate".

Common error

Avoid using "across the line" when a more specific term would be clearer. Instead of saying "The company's profits were across the line", which is vague, specify "The company exceeded its profit goals".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across the line" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb. It indicates movement beyond a literal or figurative boundary. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

General Usage

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "across the line" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the act of moving beyond a boundary, whether physical or metaphorical. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s considered grammatically correct and widely used. Its versatility makes it applicable in various contexts, from sports reporting to discussions of ethical boundaries. Be mindful of the specific context to ensure clarity, and consider alternatives like "over the line" or "beyond the pale" when discussing inappropriate behavior. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "across the line" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the line

Indicates exceeding acceptable limits or boundaries, often morally or ethically.

stepping over the boundary

Like crossing, indicates an unacceptable action.

overstepping limits

Highlights the act of exceeding established or understood boundaries.

beyond the pale

Implies something is completely unacceptable or outrageous.

out of bounds

Suggests something is prohibited or not allowed, often in a literal or figurative sense.

violating the code

Implies a breach of rules or principles, especially in a specific context or group.

transgressing boundaries

Formally denotes the action of violating or infringing upon established limits.

crossing a threshold

Refers to passing from one state or condition to another.

encroaching upon

Suggests gradual intrusion or advancement beyond accepted limits.

infringing upon

Denotes an act of intruding on or violating someone's rights or space.

FAQs

What does "across the line" mean?

The phrase "across the line" can refer to physically crossing a line, such as in a race, or metaphorically exceeding a boundary or limit of acceptable behavior.

How can I use "across the line" in a sentence?

You can use "across the line" to describe someone completing a race (e.g., "She ran "across the line" to victory") or to indicate that someone has behaved inappropriately (e.g., "His remarks were "across the line" and offended many people").

What are some alternatives to "across the line"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "over the line" (for inappropriate behavior), reached the finish line (for races), or "exceeded expectations" (for achieving a goal).

Is there a difference between "over the line" and "across the line"?

While both phrases can be used to describe behavior that exceeds acceptable limits, "over the line" more commonly refers to inappropriate or offensive conduct, while "across the line" can also refer to a physical boundary being crossed, such as in sports.