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

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

Perez said she expects the new law will allow the Civilian Oversight Commission to review previously off-limits records about the deputies who beat her son and redacted portions of other documents.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"It should be off-limits, but it wasn't this week," said the Northern Irishman after Europe's 15-13 win over the United States on Sunday.

Read more on BBC

If we allow a regime in which political pressure, regulatory power and corporate compliance render most commentary off-limits, we concede that speech is licensed — and not free.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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