a line of defensive fortifications constructed by the French along their eastern border, extending from Switzerland to Luxembourg, between 1929 and 1936. In World War II, although the defenses held, the Germans outflanked them, going through Belgium to conquer France.
[as noun] (also Maginot line) an impressive but often ineffectual means of protection or defense:the courts are our Maginot Line against industry
Origin:
named after André Maginot (1877–1932), a French minister of war
