toe the mark

The Americans surprised themselves in the semi-finals of the 800 metre race, and six runners of the eight to toe the mark in the final struggle tomorrow, will be Americans.

After this I guess he’ll toe the mark!

It's becoming in the young," she said, piously; then, with a cheerful gleam, "but all old women should be defiant—yes, they should study a dictatorial style, and make the young ones toe the mark.

How can I toe the mark unless I get some sleep?

They can start off with the climax and end up with an introduction and their things go, but I’ll bet you my hat that you will not find a single story by a new writer that does not have to toe the mark drawn by the teachers of short story writing.”