fall in line

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

A military that wouldn’t fall in line with a new civilian government would be another potential hurdle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

Others fall in line with Beijing's strategic objectives, set out a decade ago in a major government initiative called Made in China 2025.

From BBC • Nov. 17, 2025

Otherwise, the Beige Book seemed to largely fall in line with the view of the economy that Fed Chair Jerome Powell outlined on Tuesday —i.e. not much has changed from September.

From Barron's • Oct. 15, 2025

Grande really steps up as Glinda attempts to convince Elphaba to fall in line with her, but Elphaba refuses.

From Salon • Mar. 2, 2025

After I loaded up, I would fall in line with the other wagons.

From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson