color outside the lines

color outside the lines

To think or act in a way that does not conform to set rules. Likened to the way a child might color outside the lines of a coloring book. My coworkers don't always understand my ideas, especially since I like to color outside the lines. Don't be surprised if Janet shows up wearing something bizarre—she really likes to color outside the lines.
See also: color, line, outside
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • color inside the lines
  • colored
  • coloring
  • coloured
  • color in
  • request (one) to (do something)
  • the blush is off the rose
  • sirree
  • no sir
  • no sir!
References in periodicals archive
That is to say, if Mathews has to color outside the lines in pursuit of justice, then so be it.
Whodunit
The tracks are "Time Machine Guitar", "Ben Franklin's Mole", "Young Tut", "Christopher Columbus Sailed", "The Cat's Meow", "Toymasters of War", "Blue Airplane", "Beethoven's Horse", "Hummingbird Tree", "Gato Negro", "Color Outside the Lines", and "Time Machine Guitar Reprise".
Time Machine Guitar
No one is perfect, so instead of following an ironclad meal plan (and punishing yourself for every errant bite), Bauer recommends a more realistic 90/10 approach: Eat healthfully 90 percent of the time and color outside the lines the other 10 percent.
Resolutions nutritionists wish you'd make
But hey--you can always color outside the lines! Or at least that's what Meldere's own flouting of convention seemed to suggest.
Inga Meldere: Temnikova & Kasela Gallery
His secret for creating remarkable art is to color outside the lines, and this concept was enthusiastically embraced by and resonated with the students of the ECF Kayne Eras School.
Exceptional Children's Foundation Receives Grant from Murad Family Foundation
* Leadership--We, as members and as a board, need to continue to color outside the lines, to think outside the box, to be not only visionary thinkers but also doers, so that ICEA can continue to grow and move forward into the future.
Lighting a thousand candles
Charles Best, Hans Tullman and Whoopi Goldberg will be honored at Color Outside the Lines, a fundraising event held at Jack Studios in New York.
Must attend
We remain steadfast and committed to bringing together the full spectrum of knowledge, experience, ideas and vision to ensure that as an industry we continue to color outside the lines and innovate for the good of the patient and the business of health care.
The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP): Lee Ann Stember, President
But nature tends to color outside the lines -- animals migrate and move through different territories, and climate change means many animals and plants may shift to new areas in the near future.
Earth Day And The Environment: It's Pretty Hard To Find Good News
We're showcasing seven cool wags to color outside the lines.
Over the rainbow
It's not unusual for people to lose their sense of purpose or direction when they equate it with a particular profession or role in life, says Cheryl Davis Jordan, a leadership development coach and owner of Color Outside the Lines in Fort Washington, Maryland.
Soldier on: war veteran overcomes personal tragedy to continue a life of service
Don't be afraid to color outside the lines: If nothing ever changed, as the old saying goes, there'd be no butterflies.
Old iron & butterflies
You are allowed to color outside the lines. Just go for it.
On creative thinking in the classroom
On "Rule Breaker," Simpson swipes, "I just wanna color outside the lines," a bold statement coming from someone who's very comfortable not thinking outside the box.
Ashlee Simpson's glamour girl phase can't save the lame `Bittersweet World'