draw the line at

draw the line at (something)

To refuse or decline to do something or take further action. I'm not opposed to cleaning our apartment, but washing your dirty dishes is where I draw the line.

See also: draw, line

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

draw the line at

Refuse to go any further than, as in I draw the line at giving them more money. This expression alludes to a line drawn at a stopping point of some kind. [Late 1700s]

See also: draw, line

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

draw the (or a) line at

set a limit of what you are willing to do or accept, beyond which you will not go.

1995 Kate Atkinson Behind the Scenes at the Museum She even manages to persuade Gillian not to cheat…although Gillian draws the line at not screaming when she loses.

See also: draw, line

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

draw the line at, to

To set a specific limit, particularly on one’s behavior. This expression, heard in such contexts as “He drew the line at outright cheating,” comes from drawing some sort of boundary, but no one is quite certain as to what kind. Some speculate it comes from the early game of court tennis, in which the court had no specific dimensions and the players had to draw their own lines. Others believe it signified a line cut by a plow across a field to designate the property boundary. The term was used figuratively from the late eighteenth century on and was probably a cliché by the time W. S. Gilbert wrote, “I attach but little value to rank or wealth, but the line must be drawn somewhere” (H.M.S. Pinafore, Act I).

See also: draw, line

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer

See also:

draw the line at (something)
all y'all's
if that's not (something), (then) I don't know what is
have no use for
have no use for (someone or something)
have no use for somebody/something
agree to
How much is (something)?
a bone of contention
bone of contention

References in periodicals archive

However, I draw the line at promoting a celebrity who deems homosexuality a sin.

A star is born

OK, I draw the line at Big Brother--and I'm ashamed of my sneaking weakness for I'm a Celebrity, get me out of here!,

Getting down to reality

Tony Blair: "You draw the line at anything that's improper and you have to have a system of accountability.

Polly Vision: INTRODUCING TONY BLUR.

I simply draw the line at speaking Spanish in a business that is on U.S.

Erasing Our Borders. (Letters to the Editor)

Lewis, who acceded to similar demands by Evander Holyfield before their first fight on the basis that Holyfield held one more title than him, would draw the line at Tyson getting paid more.

Boxing Problems loom for Lewis's clash with Tyson

However, it seems they draw the line at Grouse, at least on the Scottish rugby team's jerseys.

RECORD VIEW: Grouse misconduct

Opposition to the opening in Congress might yet stop the plan in its tracks, particularly if traditionalist-minded members of Zedillo's own ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) draw the line at opening the energy sector to foreign investment.

Electric futility

词组	draw the line at
释义	draw the line at draw the line at (something) To refuse or decline to do something or take further action. I'm not opposed to cleaning our apartment, but washing your dirty dishes is where I draw the line. See also: draw, line Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. draw the line at Refuse to go any further than, as in I draw the line at giving them more money. This expression alludes to a line drawn at a stopping point of some kind. [Late 1700s] See also: draw, line The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. draw the (or a) line at set a limit of what you are willing to do or accept, beyond which you will not go. 1995 Kate Atkinson Behind the Scenes at the Museum She even manages to persuade Gillian not to cheat…although Gillian draws the line at not screaming when she loses. See also: draw, line Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary draw the line at, to To set a specific limit, particularly on one’s behavior. This expression, heard in such contexts as “He drew the line at outright cheating,” comes from drawing some sort of boundary, but no one is quite certain as to what kind. Some speculate it comes from the early game of court tennis, in which the court had no specific dimensions and the players had to draw their own lines. Others believe it signified a line cut by a plow across a field to designate the property boundary. The term was used figuratively from the late eighteenth century on and was probably a cliché by the time W. S. Gilbert wrote, “I attach but little value to rank or wealth, but the line must be drawn somewhere” (H.M.S. Pinafore, Act I). See also: draw, line The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer See also: draw the line at (something) all y'all's if that's not (something), (then) I don't know what is have no use for have no use for (someone or something) have no use for somebody/something agree to How much is (something)? a bone of contention bone of contention References in periodicals archive However, I draw the line at promoting a celebrity who deems homosexuality a sin. A star is born OK, I draw the line at Big Brother--and I'm ashamed of my sneaking weakness for I'm a Celebrity, get me out of here!, Getting down to reality Tony Blair: "You draw the line at anything that's improper and you have to have a system of accountability. Polly Vision: INTRODUCING TONY BLUR. I simply draw the line at speaking Spanish in a business that is on U.S. Erasing Our Borders. (Letters to the Editor) Lewis, who acceded to similar demands by Evander Holyfield before their first fight on the basis that Holyfield held one more title than him, would draw the line at Tyson getting paid more. Boxing Problems loom for Lewis's clash with Tyson However, it seems they draw the line at Grouse, at least on the Scottish rugby team's jerseys. RECORD VIEW: Grouse misconduct Opposition to the opening in Congress might yet stop the plan in its tracks, particularly if traditionalist-minded members of Zedillo's own ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) draw the line at opening the energy sector to foreign investment. Electric futility
随便看	I wouldn't know ((anything) about that) have carnal knowledge of (someone) have cause to do have cause to (do something) have cinched have clay feet have clean hands have cold feet have come a long way have come and gone have coming have confidence in have confidence in (someone or something) have contact with (one) have cornered have curves in all the right places have dead to rights have deep pockets have designs on have designs on somebody/something have designs on someone have designs on (someone or something) have designs on something have dibs on have dibs on (something)