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Zerox Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary

keep the ends out

What does this phrase mean? It can be found, for instance, in Johhny Cash's song "I walk the line". I have seen it used elsewhere also but its meaning is a bit alien for me.
  

Top answer

To walk the line means you do not step out of line, that is, you behave as you are expected to.

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15 Answers

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To walk the line means you do not step out of line, that is, you behave as you are expected to.
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Oh...my bad, I wasn't clear enough. I meant what does the " keep the ends out" mean.
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Can we have more context? That phrase, on its own, has no meaning to me.
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I Walk The Line Lyrics
by Johnny Cash

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line

http://www.lyricsdomain.com/10/johnny_cash/i_wa
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Grammar GeekCan we have more context? That phrase, on its own, has no meaning to me.
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line

Johnny Cash, I Walk The Line

Cheers
CB
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Hey Breeze, I noticed you're from Finland. Since I don't have the foggiest idea what it means, would you have any idea how to translate that into Finnish.

Is it any clearer now Grammar_Geek?
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>I keep the ends out for the tie that binds

To me, it's like offering the two ends of a thread/rope out towards someone, for being bound with something else (a tie)

A gesture of confidence in that person?
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Marius Hancu>I keep the ends out for the tie that binds

To me, it's like offering the two ends of a thread/rope out towards someone, for being bound with something else (a tie)

A gesture of confidence in that person?


That's exactly what I thought but didn't dare to put it in writing. I have known the song for about 45 y
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I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my pants tied with twine all day and night
I keep the ends tied so the twine won't bind
Because you're mine no other pulls the twine

How's that?
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"I keep the ends out for the ties that bind" means that he is careful to not let a flirtation or fling with another woman become something more. Sailors, miners, and other laborers who work with ropes (lines) keep the ends of tied ropes (ties) on the outside so that they can be quickly loosed. If your tie is hard to loose, a heavy force or weight can kill you if and when the weight shifts or othe
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