Complete Definition of "toe the line"

English
wikipedia|Toe the line

Verb
toe the line

  1. idiom To abide by the rules or conventions.

#: Television shows these days do not always toe the line of decency and common sense.

In modern usage, this is sometimes written "tow the line". This practice probably originated with people who heard the expression but were not familiar with the original spelling or meaning. With the spelling "tow" the expression naturally takes on a slightly more active meaning: not simply conforming to the rules, but helping to enforce or confirm them.

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