English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Outside the lines
Meaning
The idiom "outside the lines" refers to an action or idea that deviates from what is considered acceptable, proper, or within the boundaries of a certain situation. It can also refer to something that is beyond or outside of one's authority or control. The figurative meaning is often used to describe someone who goes too far or behaves in an unconventional way.
Usage
- The artist's experimentation with color and form was considered "outside the lines" by some critics.
- The whistleblower's allegations were seen as going "beyond the lines" of their job duties.
- The protester's use of violence to express their grievances was widely condemned as "outside the lines."
- The CEO's decision to fire several key employees without cause was seen as "outside the lines" of company policy.
- The scientist's radical new theory was considered "outside the lines" by many of her colleagues.
Roots and History
The idiom originated in the early 20th century, with its first recorded usage appearing in a 1924 sports column. It comes from the notion of lines in sports, which represent boundaries or limits that players must adhere to. The phrase has since been used to describe behavior outside of any set of rules or guidelines, regardless of the context.
Synonyms in English
- Over the line
- Beyond the pale
- Outside the box
- Off the beaten path
- Stepping out of bounds
Synonyms in other languages
- French: 'en dehors des normes'
- Spanish: 'fuera de las líneas'
- Italian: 'fuori le linee'
- German: 'außerhalb der Grenzen'
- Arabic: 'أخر الحدود' Examples of usage in these languages include:
- French: "Son expérience dans les arts plastiques fut considérée comme en dehors des normes par certains critiques." (His experimentation with plastic arts was considered outside the lines by some critics.)
- Spanish: "Las acusaciones del informante fueron vistas como fuera de las líneas de su trabajo." (The whistleblower's allegations were seen as beyond the lines of their job duties.)