Definition of "keep in line" [keep in line]

• Control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one's advantage (verb)

WordNet. Princeton University. 2010.

• "Red Mountain is 400 feet above the railroad tracks at the depot in Birmingham, so one can get an idea of the heights, but over half the line was covered by ledges and boulders, rendering it impossible for any troops to keep in line as they charged."
• "Front Royal road, I gave the order to retire, but instantly discovering that the supposed force of the enemy was Ramseur's division, which had merely moved back to keep in line with the other troops, I gave the order for the latter to return to the works before they had moved twenty paces."