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expressions - "Toe the Party Line" or "Tow the Party Line"?



When I have seen this expression written, it is usually as "tow the line" as if the subject were a tugboat.


I have always thought that "toe the line" made more sense as a fighting expression, where the fighter puts his toe on the line to indicate he is up to scratch and ready to fight.


What is the origin of this phrase?




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