step out of line

step out of line 

1. Lit. to move out of a line of people. If you step out of line, you will lose your place in it. I had to step out of line to sit down on the curb and rest for a minute.

2. Fig. to misbehave; to deviate from normal, expected, or demanded behavior. If you step out of line again, I'll slap you. Tom stepped out of line once too often and got yelled at.

See also: line, out, step

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step out of line

to not behave as you are ordered or expected to It was made quite clear to me that if I stepped out of line again I'd be out of a job.

See move up a gear, be one step ahead, One step forward, two steps back, step into shoes, watch step, step on toes

See also: line, out, step