off-limits

adjective

off-lim·​its ˈȯf-ˈli-məts 

: not to be entered or patronized by a designated class (such as military personnel)

also : not to be interfered with, considered, or spoken of

the subject of sex was off-limits in her family

Examples of off-limits in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Royal Box at Centre Court is typically off-limits to kids given the high demand for a spot in the 74-seat area, but exceptions are made for royal children. —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 14 July 2024

Roosts, though, pose a problem, often because the roosts themselves will be within the city limits and thus, off-limits to any type of hunting. —M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 11 July 2024

Roberts’s opinion took particular aim at those allegations, saying such conduct should be considered off-limits in any criminal case against a former president. —Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 9 July 2024

Both are located south of the capital, which has become off-limits to most Haitians. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

off-limits

adjective

ˈȯ-ˈflim-əts

1

: not to be entered or used by a certain group of people

2

: not to be discussed or considered

questions about my salary are off-limits