What is the saying toe the line?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. “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 towed or toed?
Toe and tow are two words that are pronounced the same way but are spelled differently and mean different things. The word toe is derived from the Old English word ta. Tow means to pull something, to drag something, especially with a chain or rope. Tow most often refers to pulling something behind a car, truck or boat.
What is tow line?
tow•line. (ˈtoʊˌlaɪn) n. a line, hawser, or the like, by which anything is or may be towed.
What does toe the line mean in the military?
When you toe the line, you acknowledge what has to be done to fit in with a particular group. If you’re going to make it in the U.S. Army, you’ll have to toe the line during basic training.
What does the idiom cheek mean?
singular noun. You say that someone has a cheek when you are annoyed or shocked at something unreasonable that they have done. [informal]
Is toeing a Scrabble word?
Yes, toeing is in the scrabble dictionary.
How do you use toe the line in a sentence?
Meet a standard, abide by the rules, as in The new director will make us toe the line, I’m sure, or At daycare Brian has to toe the mark, but at home his mother’s quite lenient. This idiom refers to runners in a race placing their toes on the starting line and not moving until the starting signal.
What is the homophone for tow?
The words toe, tow sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Why do toe, tow sound the same even though they are completely different words? The answer is simple: toe, tow are homophones of the English language.
What is a tow line of a boat?
Tow Lines are used to tow a vessel behind a larger boat like a houseboat or yacht. Similarly, a Towing Hawser is a line used for towing purposes mostly used in heavy marine, commercial, and industrial applications. Shore Lines are used to temporarily Moor (connect / fasten) or Make Fast a boat to the shoreline.
How long should a kayak tow line be?
It’s easy to make your own contact tow. Use a length of cord about four to five millimeters wide and three times the length of the distance between your deck lines.
Is the phrase toe the line or tow 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.
Which is correct toe the line or tow 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.
Where does the phrase ” tow the line ” come from?
The phrase means “follow the rules or obey an authority.”. “Tow the line” is a misspelling based on “toe” and “tow” sounding the same, but “tow the line” is always an error. The phrase comes from the idea of standing at the starting line before a race (i.e., getting as close as possible without overstepping the mark).
Where did the expression’toe the starting line’come from?
Over the years the term has been attributed to sports, including toeing the starting line in track events and toeing a center line in boxing which boxers were instructed to line up on either side of to start a match. Not the answer you’re looking for? Browse other questions tagged expressions or ask your own question.
Is there a difference between towing and hauling?
There’s no “towing” or “hauling” involved. Of course, before you toe any line, I’d recommend thinking hard about whether it’s a line that makes sense for you, your career, and your sense of integrity. If it does, awesome, step up to the mark.
Is it toe the line, or tow the line?
“Tow the line” is a common misspelling, like “for all intensive purposes”. It’s toe the line. Anyone writing it out as ‘tow’ is just mistaken. “Toe the line ” is correct. “Tow the line” is a common misspelling, like “for all intensive purposes”.
Where does the expression ” toe the party line ” come from?
When I have seen this expression written, it is usually as “tow the line” as if the subject were a tugboat. I have always thought that “toe the line” made more sense as a fighting expression, where the fighter puts his toe on the line to indicate he is up to scratch and ready to fight. What is the origin of this phrase? It’s “toe the party line”.
What does the idiom toe the line mean?
Meet a standard, abide by the rules, as in The new director will make us toe the line, I’m sure, or At daycare Brian has to toe the mark, but at home his mother’s quite lenient. This idiom refers to runners in a race placing their toes on the starting line and not moving until the starting signal.
There’s no “towing” or “hauling” involved. Of course, before you toe any line, I’d recommend thinking hard about whether it’s a line that makes sense for you, your career, and your sense of integrity. If it does, awesome, step up to the mark.