toe the line
Inglese idiom
Significati di “toe the line”
To toe the line, and to tow the line has been a longstanding debate. 'Tow the mark' is also a variant.
1. Toe the line, toe the mark, toe the plank. Although this goes back to individuals (men) line up toes along plank lines on a ship it still is used in the military even on tile floors, and sidewalks.
2. Tow the line, although many argue it's correct usage it is often seen in many song lyrics and thus needs to be addressed too. Tow the line (a rope) also nautical in origin can refer to an individual, a machine, or device. Tugboats tow lines and the ship must follow it. Crewmembers working as a combined force tow lines. Both mean to do as told, to fall in line, to follow the lead to do what is expected (needs to be done) whether a man or a machine. In a tug of war in a literal sense you must tow the line.
“toe the line” nei testi
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