Can't Tow the Line?
"Toe the Line" Is an Idiomatic Expression Meaning Either to Conform to a Rule or Standard, or to Stand Poised at the Starting Line in a Footrace. Other Phrases...
"Toe the line" is an idiomatic expression meaning either to conform to a rule or standard, or to stand poised at the starting line in a footrace. Other phrases which were once used in the early 1800s and have the same meaning were tow the mark and tow the plank.
What does the saying tow the line mean?
"Toe the line" is an idiomatic expression meaning either to conform to a rule or standard, or to stand poised at the starting line in a footrace. Other phrases which were once used in the early 1800s and have the same meaning were toe the mark and toe the plank.
Is it towing or toeing the line?
Reminder: The idiom meaning “to do what is expected” or “to follow the established rules” is correctly spelled “toe the line.” It's an expression that was once used at the start of a race, when runners were called to step into the ready position with their toes on the starting line.