History Main / LineInTheSand

* ''WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967'': When Col. Hati turns his back after asking for volunteers to go look for Mowgli, the entire herd steps ''back'' as one, save for one elephant. He joins the line after a moment. Hati turns around, looks at everyone for a beat, then laughs and says, "Now that's what I like to see: devotion to duty!"

* A 2004 [[UsefulNotes/AustralianRulesFootball Australian Football League]] match between Hawthorn and Essendon became notorious as one of the most violent in league history, with multiple fights breaking out between players. It became known as the "line in the sand match" when it was alleged that Hawthorn team director Dermott Brereton (himself a former Hawthorn player) told his team at halftime to "draw a line in the sand" against perceived Essendon aggression. (Brereton denied the specific wording, but admitted to telling the team to take a stand.) in the end, 16 players received fines from the AFL, three of them also drawing suspensions from four to six matches, and two other players were suspended for a single match.

Sometimes the volunteering is gradual, with characters being shamed into it by seeing the others volunteer. In which case, [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids the least experienced character]] [[LeastIsFirst leads off]], and [[JadeColoredGlasses the most]] [[SourSupporter is usually the last]].

* Dot Pyxis invokes one in ''Manga/AttackOnTitan''. During the Battle of Trost, in which Wall Rose, one of the two remaining walls protecting humanity from the Titans has been breached, he says that anyone who doesn't want to fight is free to go, as long as they're willing to let their families be devoured by the titans. Considering that when Wall Maria had been breached, the result was a refugee crisis and the government sending a fifth of humanity to their deaths as a way of population control, he's not exaggerating when he says failure is not an option. Most of the soldiers agree to stand their ground, and with their help, the wall is sealed once again.

--->'''Mal:''' You all got on this boat for different reasons, but you all come to the same place. So now I’m asking more of you than I have before. Maybe all. Sure as I know anything, I know this: they will try again. Maybe on another world, maybe on this very ground swept clean. A year from now, ten, they'll swing back to the belief that [[spoiler: they can make people... better]]. And I do not hold to that. So no more running. '''I aim to misbehave.'''

-->'''[[Series/PowerRangersZeo Tommy]]:''' Guys this is gonna be a very dangerous mission. But I can't force you to go. This is a decision you have to make on your own.\\

* In ''Franchise/{{S|tarWarsExpandedUniverse}}hatterpoint'', General Windu asks one of his higher-ranking clone troopers for the best pilots under his command, then changes his order and asks for volunteers, since it's one of those situations where hardly anyone's getting out alive. The trooper tells him that they'll all volunteer. It's [[CloningBlues what they're bred for]].

* Played with in the ''Manga/GiantRobo'' OVA: In the prelude to the final battle, Daisaku (TheKidWithTheRemoteControl for the titular HumongousMecha) suffers a HeroicBSOD because he can't bring himself to ShootTheDog -- or the CoolBigSis, who may or may not have [[FaceHeelTurn joined the enemy]]. The SupportingLeader, disgusted, draws a line with his sword for Daisaku to cross when he's ready. Because of the battle's choreography, Daisaku doesn't need to cross the line to send Giant Robo into a FoeTossingCharge JustInTime. However, when Robo's damaged, Daisaku refuses the order to retreat -- across the line, mind you -- to a shelter, and charges directly into the FinalBattle to save Robo.