Out of line means too far, unacceptable. Criticising an idea is fine, but mocking someone's accent is out of line. You're out of line is a direct, serious warning. About yourself, it admits fault: I was out of line to read your message without asking. With with, the meaning changes to 'not matching': fees out of line with what similar museums charge.
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be out of line; out of line to do something; out of line with something
- Criticizing the proposal was fair, but mocking her accent was out of line.
- I was out of line to read your message without asking.
- The entrance fees are out of line with what similar museums charge.
What changed
First versionThat personal remark was out of the line.
RevisionThat personal remark was out of line.
Line seems like a specific line, so the gets added: out of the line. But when judging behaviour, there's no article: out of line. The only fits literally: step out of the line means leave a queue.
Out of place simply means unsuitable: a joke out of place at a business meeting. Out of line is stronger: it's crossing a boundary, something you apologise for. Cross the line is the action itself.
Your turn
Say that an insult was unacceptable: You were out of ___ to say that.
Show the answer
line — When judging behaviour, line has no article: out of line to say that. The line would be about a real queue or line.
You shouted at your brother over something small. Apologise in one sentence with I was out of line.
I was out of line to shout at you over something so small.
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