Step over the lines meaning in English
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Definition
to step over the line: to go past the limit, to be unreasonable
Examples
- "If you keep acting so irrationally there'll come a point when you step over the line."
Exercise 1
When Hannah says that Philip will "step over the line", she means that he'll .
When Hannah says that Philip will "step over the line", she means that he'll go too far.
go too far: This is the best choice here. To "step over the line" is to go too far with something, to behave in a way that becomes inappropriate and potentially damaging. For example, "It was quite funny at first, but you really stepped over the line when you started swearing at the coffee machine".
move too fast: This is an incorrect answer. To "move too fast" is to do too much too quickly. For example, you might say of a person who took you to meet her parents on the first date that she was "moving too fast".
take a wrong turn: This is an incorrect answer. To "take a wrong turn" means to make a poor choice. For instance, "I wouldn't recommend buying stock in the U.S. airline industry; I think you're taking a wrong turn there". Literally "to take a wrong turn" is to drive on to an incorrect road, which will not take you where you want to go.
Exercise 2
Philip says that he is "on a winning streak"
Find the meaning of this and other idioms below.
to be on a winning streak -->
to step over the line -->
Find the meaning of this and other idioms below.
to be on a winning streak -->
to step over the line -->
Philip says that he is "on a winning streak"
Find the meaning of this and other idioms below.
to be on a winning streak --> to have a series of successes 1
to step over the line --> to exceed the boundaries of acceptable behavior 2
Find the meaning of this and other idioms below.
to be on a winning streak --> to have a series of successes 1
to step over the line --> to exceed the boundaries of acceptable behavior 2
1 to have a series of successes: This is correct. "To be on a winning streak" is to enjoy a series of successes or experience a period where things happen in your favor. Example: First, you found that 100 dollar bill on the street, then you got promoted, then Natalie Portwoman asked you out on a date - you're on a real WINNING STREAK! In the conversation, Philip says "I'm on a winning streak" when referring to money he is making for the company, which suggests he has made a series of big sales.
1 to be born lucky: This is incorrect. If you are "born lucky" you are always lucky, not just for a short period of time as suggested by the term "winning streak".
1 to take lots of risks: This is incorrect. "To be on a winning streak" does not mean to take lots of risks.
2 to exceed the boundaries of acceptable behavior: This is correct. To "step over the line" is to go too far with something, to behave in a way that becomes inappropriate and potentially damaging. For example, "I usually like Steve's practical jokes, but he STEPPED OVER THE LINE when he put my cat in the microwave".
2 to obtain a new level of excellence or success: This is incorrect. "To step over the line" does not mean to obtain a new level of excellence or success.
2 to lose one's direction: This is incorrect. "To step over the line" does not mean to lose one's direction.
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