Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
They fall in line
English answer:
to start to accept the rules of a company or other organization; conform
Added to glossary by
Shirley Fan
Mar 10, 2008 04:35
16 yrs ago
2 viewers *
English term
They fall in line
Non-PRO
English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
“There have been a huge number of companion books that have been published,” Mr. Blair said. “Ninety-nine percent have come to speak to us. In every case they have made changes to ensure compliance. They fall in line.” But, he added: “These guys refused to contact us. They refused to answer any questions. They refused to show us any details.”
Change log
Mar 10, 2008 08:11: Tony M changed "Level" from "PRO" to "Non-PRO"
Responses
+12
17 mins
English term (edited):
to fall in[to] line
Selected
to start to accept the rules of a company or other organization; conform
See below:
fall in/into line - to start to accept the rules of a company or other organization. Employees were expected to fall into line with the company's new practices or face dismissal. (often + with)
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/fall in line
Fall in line - Also, fall into line. Adhere to established rules or predetermined courses of action. For example, This idea falls in line with the entire agenda, or It wasn't easy to get all the tenants to fall into line concerning the rent hike. A related term is bring into line, meaning "to make someone fit established rules," as in It was her job to bring her class into line with the others. These terms employ line in the sense of "alignment," a usage dating from about 1500.
http://www.answers.com/topic/fall-in-line
con•form [kuh n-fawrm] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used without object)
1. to act in accordance or harmony; comply (usually fol. by to): to conform to rules.
2. to act in accord with the prevailing standards, attitudes, practices, etc., of society or a group: One has to conform in order to succeed in this company.
3. to be or become similar in form, nature, or character.
4. to be in harmony or accord.
5. to comply with the usages of an established church, esp. the Church of England.
–verb (used with object)
6. to make similar in form, nature, or character.
7. to bring into agreement, correspondence, or harmony.
–adjective
8. Archaic. CONFORMABLE.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=conform
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Note added at 8 days (2008-03-19 03:56:09 GMT) Post-grading
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You're welcome, Shirley, and thank you :-)
fall in/into line - to start to accept the rules of a company or other organization. Employees were expected to fall into line with the company's new practices or face dismissal. (often + with)
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/fall in line
Fall in line - Also, fall into line. Adhere to established rules or predetermined courses of action. For example, This idea falls in line with the entire agenda, or It wasn't easy to get all the tenants to fall into line concerning the rent hike. A related term is bring into line, meaning "to make someone fit established rules," as in It was her job to bring her class into line with the others. These terms employ line in the sense of "alignment," a usage dating from about 1500.
http://www.answers.com/topic/fall-in-line
con•form [kuh n-fawrm] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used without object)
1. to act in accordance or harmony; comply (usually fol. by to): to conform to rules.
2. to act in accord with the prevailing standards, attitudes, practices, etc., of society or a group: One has to conform in order to succeed in this company.
3. to be or become similar in form, nature, or character.
4. to be in harmony or accord.
5. to comply with the usages of an established church, esp. the Church of England.
–verb (used with object)
6. to make similar in form, nature, or character.
7. to bring into agreement, correspondence, or harmony.
–adjective
8. Archaic. CONFORMABLE.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=conform
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Note added at 8 days (2008-03-19 03:56:09 GMT) Post-grading
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You're welcome, Shirley, and thank you :-)
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you"
+1
8 mins
they eventually become compliant
good luck.
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Nelida Kreer
: Yes. Or, even better, just "pliant" i/o "compliant". What do you think?
48 mins
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Thanks again, Niki. I don't know about pliant in this case.
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