Overstep the mark/line
verb
To go beyond the limits of what is considered acceptable or proper behavior.
He knew he had overstepped the mark when he started to criticise his boss in front of everyone at the meeting.
Often appears as...
- seriously overstep the mark
- just overstep the mark
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To do something that exceeds one's authority or powers.
The judge overstepped the line when he handed out a sentence that exceeded the maximum penalty stated by the law.
Often appears as...
- overstep the mark in a legal sense
- judge overstep the mark
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Legal
verb
To go beyond the limits of what is considered acceptable or proper behavior.
He knew he had overstepped the mark when he started to criticise his boss in front of everyone at the meeting.
Often appears as...
- seriously overstep the mark
- just overstep the mark
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To do something that exceeds one's authority or powers.
The judge overstepped the line when he handed out a sentence that exceeded the maximum penalty stated by the law.
Often appears as...
- overstep the mark in a legal sense
- judge overstep the mark
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Legal
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Social Boundaries
This phrase is often used when someone violates unspoken social rules or etiquette.
He definitely overstepped the mark by joking about her divorce.
Pro Tip 2/3Disapproval Implied
Using 'overstep the mark' implies that the speaker disapproves of the behavior.
She overstepped the mark with her comments, and the audience was not pleased.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
What counts as overstepping the mark can vary greatly between different cultures.
In their culture, arriving unannounced is seriously overstepping the mark.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Boundaries
This phrase is often used when someone violates unspoken social rules or etiquette.
He definitely overstepped the mark by joking about her divorce.
Pro Tip 2/3Disapproval Implied
Using 'overstep the mark' implies that the speaker disapproves of the behavior.
She overstepped the mark with her comments, and the audience was not pleased.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
What counts as overstepping the mark can vary greatly between different cultures.
In their culture, arriving unannounced is seriously overstepping the mark.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Boundaries
This phrase is often used when someone violates unspoken social rules or etiquette.
He definitely overstepped the mark by joking about her divorce.
Pro Tip 2/3Disapproval Implied
Using 'overstep the mark' implies that the speaker disapproves of the behavior.
She overstepped the mark with her comments, and the audience was not pleased.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
What counts as overstepping the mark can vary greatly between different cultures.
In their culture, arriving unannounced is seriously overstepping the mark.
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