CROSSING "THE THIN RED LINE" The "Thin Red Line" often means the final boundary or division between order and chaos, or between good and evil. It is also used to denote a limit beyond which someone must not go without facing severe consequences. It suggests the idea of a physical boundary marking the limits between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. The expression is part of the English language vocabulary. However, there is a military origin to this phrase which goes back to the British Crimean War, particularly the Balaklava Campaign. Though the Balaklava Campaign became infamous for one of the most infamous blunders in military history, the Charge of the Light Brigade, made immortal by Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell. They that had fought so well Came through the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of h...