Prescribe or proscribe

I think those definitions are correct.

Am I missing something?

Yeah, I think they meant toeing the prescribed line, Mollygo

So we should toe the forbidden line i.e. do the things that are forbidden?

Just another example (far too many these days and I blame Americans, of course) of using too many words. Why not just say "toeing the line" - we all know what it means. It is both necessary and sufficient.

Maybe if you cut and paste the phrase in context it would make more sense?

I suppose people can toe whichever lines they like - pre or proscribed, but one is likely to have better consequences than the other.

valdali

Yeah, I think they meant toeing the prescribed line, Mollygo

Thanks Vivaldi

And yes argymargy just toeing the line would have been sufficient.

Different words, different meanings.
At least they got “toeing the line right”!

Surely "to toe the line" means keeping on the right side of it?

Think back tto running races at school - if you put a toe over the starting line before "GO" was said you were disqualified.

It makes no sense to toe the forbidden line, which happens to be what "the procribed line" means.

Proscribe does mean to forbid or ban eg the ban on hosepipes in hot weather. Or mobile phones forbids the use of mobile phones in exams. So now we know the next time there's a hosepipe ban it's been proscribed 🤣

Plevey08

Proscribe does mean to forbid or ban eg the ban on hosepipes in hot weather. Or mobile phones forbids the use of mobile phones in exams. So now we know the next time there's a hosepipe ban it's been proscribed 🤣

But it’s not the hosepipe ban that’s been proscribed is it but the use of the hosepipe?

Well yes Tuliptree..you can't ban an inanimate object so yes the use of. Sort of thought that would be taken as read 🤣

Taken as read in Pedants’ Corner? I don’t think so 😂

"toeing the proscribed line" sounds like you are carefully conforming to the rules of an illegal terrorist group!

Lol!

Because "proscribed" is so legally heavy it implies something strictly outlawed by parliament.

Doodledog

Maybe if you cut and paste the phrase in context it would make more sense?

I suppose people can toe whichever lines they like - pre or proscribed, but one is likely to have better consequences than the other.

That's funny Tuliptree. Ok I've got that👍

Plevey08

That's funny Tuliptree. Ok I've got that👍

Ooohhh thank you. This is the first time I’ve contributed to Pedants’ Corner but I love reading it.

First time I've read and contributed Tuliptree. I hope I'm not going to be proscribed! 🤣

I have seen "tow the line" used (on the net). Someone must have heard it, not seen it written down. i wonder what their mento image is of someone "towing the line", it is probably quite different from an athlete toeing the starting line, not crossing it until the whistle blows.

The confusion comes in part from so many people saying pr'us' cribed.
Poor pronunciation obscures the meaning.

I thought the origins were from the Navy where the sailors had to stand at attention with their toes touching a specific tar seam between the planks.

Falling "out of line" or failing to keep your toes on the mark meant disciplinary action.
My husband once said he thought it was also called "toeing the seam".

Elegran

I have seen "tow the line" used (on the net). Someone must have heard it, not seen it written down. i wonder what their mento image is of someone "towing the line", it is probably quite different from an athlete toeing the starting line, not crossing it until the whistle blows.

Elegran - ‘towing the line’ is from the time when canal barges were towed by draught horses, also the origin of ‘tow path’ alongside canals or rivers

The hosepipe ban has been prescribed. Use of the hosepipe he's been proscribed. Simple

Grandmaofone

Elegran

I have seen "tow the line" used (on the net). Someone must have heard it, not seen it written down. i wonder what their mento image is of someone "towing the line", it is probably quite different from an athlete toeing the starting line, not crossing it until the whistle blows.

Elegran - ‘towing the line’ is from the time when canal barges were towed by draught horses, also the origin of ‘tow path’ alongside canals or rivers

Yes, towing a line could mean putting your shoulder to the rope and helping with the work. However the poster clearly meant what we would say as "toe the line" like an athlete under orders waiting with his toes behind the starting line, in the sense of doing as you were told, as everyone else was obeying.