a line in the sand



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a line in the sand

A figurative boundary that someone or some group refuses to cross or beyond which no further advance or compromise is accepted. (Used especially in the phrase "draw a line in the sand.") The allocation of this new tax to pay for building schools has become a line in the sand for the governor's administration. I don't mind my roommate being a bit messy, but leaving dirty dishes for me to clean up is where I draw a line in the sand!
See also: line, sand

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
ClemensKLE-mens (German)German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Late Roman
AbnerAB-nər (English)English, Biblical, Biblical Latin
Jeetendra-Indian, Hindi, Marathi
Liudvika-Lithuanian
Allissaə-LIS-əEnglish (Rare)
FayFAYEnglish