FYI: "Toe the line"

The idiom is toe the line, not tow the line. 

The phrase derives from track-and-field events in which athletes are required to place a foot on a starting line and wait for the signal to go. Race officials used to shout “Toe the line!” where now they shout “On your marks!” 

Since entering the language, the idiom has developed to mean do what is expected or act according to someone else’s rules or expectations.

#EnglishIsHard 

 I remember hearing this a long time ago when someone else was talking about the status quo. 

I would argue that “tow the line” works for how most people understand its meaning, as opposed to its origin, as you stated.

It’s 4:40am, good morning. 😊