blur the lines
/blɜːr ðə laɪnz/
Meaning
This expression means to make the differences between two distinct things, concepts, or categories less clear and harder to distinguish. It is often used when boundaries, rules, or roles become vague or merge together. The tone is neutral and analytical, widely applicable to discussions about work-life balance, relationships, art, and ethics.
Examples
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Working from home can easily blur the lines between your professional life and personal life.
Working from home can easily blur the lines between your professional life and personal life.
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The new docudrama attempts to blur the lines between historical fact and creative fiction.
The new docudrama attempts to blur the lines between historical fact and creative fiction.
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Dating a coworker can sometimes blur the lines of professional boundaries in the office.
Dating a coworker can sometimes blur the lines of professional boundaries in the office.
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Modern smartphones blur the lines between high-end cameras and everyday mobile phones.
Modern smartphones blur the lines between high-end cameras and everyday mobile phones.
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The artist loves to blur the lines between traditional painting and digital sculpture.
The artist loves to blur the lines between traditional painting and digital sculpture.
Common Mistakes
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✗ The two concepts blur the borders between art and science.
✓ The two concepts blur the lines between art and science.
While 'borders' makes logical sense, 'blur the lines' is the established idiomatic expression used by native speakers.
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✗ Working late blurs the lines of my work and life.
✓ Working late blurs the lines between my work and life.
The preposition 'between' is required to show the two distinct categories that are losing their boundaries.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Social media platforms often ___ between public sharing and private life.
💡 To make the boundaries between two things unclear.
Show answer
blur the lines
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We need clear rules so we don't ___ between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
💡 To obscure the distinction between two categories.
Show answer
blur the lines