An Americanism dating back to 1950–55
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Current co-workers are off-limits because he doesn’t want applicants’ employers to know they are thinking of jumping ship.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
Trading on Hyperliquid and Trade.xyz is currently off-limits to investors based in the U.S. for regulatory reasons.
From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026
In another provision, computer use would be off-limits between classes and during lunch and recess.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
Manish Chandi has been one of the few to regularly visit the small villages of the Nicobarese, which are off-limits except with special permission.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
It was a new and startling thing to me for ordinary friendship to be as off-limits as romance could be.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
