draw some lines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "draw some lines" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to establish boundaries or limits, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "In order to maintain a healthy work-life balance, it's important to draw some lines between your professional and personal time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

You have to draw some lines in the sand and I don't think he has done that.

The New York Times

We have to draw some lines, for legal purposes, and they're going to be arbitrary, relative, and non-absolute.

The Economist

On spending priorities, "we'll be able to draw some lines around the things that are important, though we can't do everything," Mr. Axelrod said.

The New York Times

"It might seem crazy, but if we didn't draw some lines, it could get out of control pretty easily," Spitzer said.

The New York Times

Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said on ABC's "This Week With George Stephanopoulos" that Mr. Obama would "draw some lines in the sand" on Wednesday but "I doubt we're going to get into heavy veto threats".

The New York Times

In conclusion, we try to draw some lines of reasoning for going beyond the opposition between these two approaches.

Human Movement Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

If, on the other hand, the dispute goes beyond Saturday, then a long and messy squabble seems almost certain.There have been concerted efforts to draw some line in the sand, but this is not proving easy.

The Economist

If, on the other hand, the dispute goes beyond Friday, then a long and messy squabble seems almost certain.There are concerted efforts to draw some line in the sand.

The Economist

"Just drawing some lines around a few blocks doesn't get you a stadium," he said, adding that there are not enough A's fans in Oakland to justify keeping the team there.

The New York Times - Sports

And it's time that we started drawing some lines in the sand.

Huffington Post

And for our part, progressives did a great job in answering the Third Way's challenge by pushing back and drawing some lines in the sand ourselves.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "draw some lines" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly indicates the boundaries or limits being established. For instance, "We need to draw some lines in the budget to ensure we don't overspend."

Common error

Avoid using "draw some lines" when the intended meaning is simply to create something visually. If you mean to sketch or illustrate, be explicit by saying "sketch some lines" or "illustrate some lines" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw some lines" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It can denote the literal act of creating lines or, more often, the metaphorical act of setting boundaries or limits. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "draw some lines" is a versatile expression used to convey both literal and metaphorical meanings. It is grammatically correct and commonly employed across diverse contexts, including news, media, and instructional content. As validated by Ludwig AI, the phrase's primary function is to establish demarcation, either physically or conceptually. While generally neutral in register, the metaphorical use of "draw some lines" often implies setting boundaries or limits. When using the phrase, it's essential to ensure that the intended meaning is clear from the context. Consider alternative expressions like ""establish boundaries"" or ""set limits"" to refine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish boundaries

Focuses on setting limits or borders in a more abstract or conceptual sense, rather than the literal act of drawing.

set limits

Similar to 'establish boundaries' but can also refer to constraints on resources or behavior.

mark boundaries

Emphasizes the act of designating boundaries, whether physically or conceptually.

outline a plan

Focuses on creating a summary or framework, often for a strategy or project.

delineate responsibilities

Specifically refers to clarifying roles or duties within a group or organization.

define the scope

Emphasizes specifying the extent or range of a project or task.

chart a course

Suggests planning a route or direction, often in a metaphorical sense.

map out a strategy

Refers to the creation of a detailed plan of action to achieve a specific goal.

draft an outline

Implies creating a preliminary sketch or framework, often for a written document.

trace a path

Describes the process of creating a route or following an existing one.

FAQs

How can I use "draw some lines" in a sentence?

You can use "draw some lines" to mean creating visual lines or setting boundaries. For visual lines: "Could you draw some lines on this graph?". For setting boundaries: "We need to draw some lines to protect our intellectual property".

What are some alternatives to "draw some lines"?

Alternatives include "establish boundaries", "set limits", or "mark boundaries" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "drawing some lines" instead of "draw some lines"?

The phrase "drawing some lines" is a gerund form, often used as part of a continuous tense. "Draw some lines" is typically an imperative or infinitive form, used to give a command or state a general action. For example: "He is drawing some lines" vs. "Draw some lines on the paper".

What is the difference between "draw some lines" and "draw a line in the sand"?

"Draw some lines" generally refers to creating boundaries or visual lines, while "draw a line in the sand" is an idiom meaning to set a firm, non-negotiable limit or demand.