come in(to) line
1. To become straight; to form into a line or row. The teacher waited for her students to come into line before they walked to the auditorium. The cars all came in line after the traffic merged into a single lane. While the audience is clapping, you all need to come into a line, bow, and then turn to the right to walk off the stage.
2. To conform, adhere to, or agree with that which is established or generally accepted, such as rules, beliefs, modes of behavior, etc. You might have some wild ideas for the future, but you'll never get anywhere in this business if you don't start coming into line with your boss's expectations. We all tend to have revolutionary ideals in our youth, but we usually come in line with the general populace as we grow older. I'm always impressed by the strength of Fred's convictions. I don't think any amount of shaming or criticism will ever get him to come into line with that which is popular.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.