off-limits

[awf-lim-its, of-]

adjective

1. forbidden to be patronized, frequented, used, etc., by certain persons.

   The tavern is off-limits to soldiers.

off limits

adjective

1. not to be entered; out of bounds

adverb

1. in or into an area forbidden by regulations

Word History and Origins

Origin of off limits¹

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

Other locals grumble that the construction has made Asir’s most beautiful areas off-limits, and that the focus on luxury will change the freewheeling character of the region.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Nuclear’s most exciting breakthroughs are still unfolding in private markets, off-limits to everyday investors.

Read more on MarketWatch

“We knew not to — you don’t walk into the tank and the classified areas are off-limits,” Fox’s Baier made clear on Tuesday.

Read more on Salon

As an offshore, unregulated marketplace that is officially off-limits to Americans, it isn’t subject to the laws that ban insider trading in the U.S. stock market.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It has been officially off-limits to U.S. users since 2022 following a settlement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission during the Biden administration.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• banned www.thesaurus.com
• barred 
• illegal 
• prohibited 
• restricted