如果说某人 steps out of line 这就意味着这个人的行为与众不同，不守规矩。甚至可以说一个人的表现太出格了。

例句

Teachers in my school are very keen on discipline. They severely punish anyone who steps out of line.

Some tribal societies are very conservative. Anyone stepping out of line could be cut off from the rest of the group.

请注意

千万不要把 to step out of line 同另一个短语 to be next in line for (something) 想混，后者的意思是 此人将是下一个（被提升的）人选。

My boss has been praising my leadership skills. I think I might be next in line for a managerial post.