cross the line

[thru]

Hi,
The dictionary says:'If someone crosses the line they start behaving in a way that is not socially acceptable', e.g.
'Players had crossed the line by attacking fans on the pitch.' Does the idiom 'cross the line' mean 'go too far' or 'break the law'? And what about 'cross the line with someone'
Thank you a lot.

[Anglika]

It means "have gone too far". It either comes from "crossing the line" - going over the Equator, or from the ancient custom of drawing a line in front of you and saying that the line forms a limit.

[thru]

Thank you, Anglika for letting me clear it up. And does another phrase 'one cross the line with someone else' mean they have done something bad which they should not do and is not acceptable?
Thank you a lot

[Anglika]

Thank you, Anglika for letting me clear it up. And does another phrase 'one cross the line with someone else' mean they have done something bad which they should not do and is not acceptable?
Thank you a lot

If you "cross the line" with someone, then you have gone too far in some way or another. It may be that you have been rude to them, or that you have taken advantage of them in some way. I wouldn't go quite so far as saying it is something bad, but it is very likely something that is not acceptable.