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off limits

off-lim·its
O o

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [awf-lim-its, of-]
    • /ɔf, ɒf ˈlɪm.ɪt/
    • /ɒf ˈlɪm.ɪt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [awf-lim-its, of-]
    • /ɔf, ɒf ˈlɪm.ɪt/

Definitions of off limits words

  • adjective off limits forbidden to be patronized, frequented, used, etc., by certain persons: The tavern is off-limits to soldiers. 1
  • adjective off limits not permitted 1
  • phrase off limits If an area or a place is off limits, you are not allowed to go there. 0
  • phrase off limits If you say that something is off limits, you mean that you are not allowed to do it. 0
  • adjective off limits If a place is off limits to someone, they are not allowed to go there. 0
  • adjective off limits If you say that an activity or a substance is off limits for someone, you mean that they are not allowed to do it or have it. 0

Information block about the term

Origin of off limits

First appearance:

before 1950
One of the 5% newest English words
An Americanism dating back to 1950-55

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Off limits

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

off limits popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 31% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 75% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

off limits usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for off limits

adj off limits

  • beyond the pale — If you think that someone's actions or behaviour are not acceptable, you can say that they are beyond the pale.
  • forbidden — a past participle of forbid.
  • impermissible — not permissible or allowable; unallowable.

noun off limits

  • don't — contraction of do not.
  • dont — contraction of do not.
  • forbiddance — the act of forbidding.
  • in-junction — Law. a judicial process or order requiring the person or persons to whom it is directed to do a particular act or to refrain from doing a particular act.
  • interdiction — an act or instance of interdicting.

adjective off limits

  • anathema — If something is anathema to you, you strongly dislike it.
  • disapproved — Simple past tense and past participle of disapprove.
  • wildcat — any of several North American felines of the genus Lynx. Compare lynx.

adverb off limits

  • banned — to prohibit, forbid, or bar; interdict: to ban nuclear weapons; The dictator banned all newspapers and books that criticized his regime.
  • barred — having bars or stripes
  • illegal — forbidden by law or statute.
  • illicit — not legally permitted or authorized; unlicensed; unlawful.
  • outlawed — a lawless person or habitual criminal, especially one who is a fugitive from the law.

Antonyms for off limits

adjective off limits

  • mentionable — to refer briefly to; name, specify, or speak of: Don't forget to mention her contribution to the project.

See also

Matching words

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