encroach on
encroach (up)on (something)
To approach or cross a literal or figurative boundary. That fool next door totally encroached upon my land when he built his new fence. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to encroach on your authority by assigning work to your interns.
See also: encroach
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
encroach (up)on someone or something
to infringe or trespass on someone or something; to move into the space belonging to someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) I did not mean to encroach upon your property. I need lots of space. Don't encroach on me.
See also: encroach, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
encroach on
or encroach uponv.
To advance or extend toward or into something beyond its proper or former limits: The weeds in my neighbor's yard are encroaching on my lawn. At the edge of the village, the desert encroaches upon grassland.
See also: encroach, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- encroach
- encroach (up)on (something)
- a line in the sand
- line in the sand
- be as good as dead
- draw the line
- draw a line in the sand
- (as) good as dead
- at a dead end
- knock-down drag-out fight, a