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

For security reasons, some areas are still off-limits for photographs. —Jim Clash, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

And the vast majority of campus is now off-limits to unpermitted protests as more private security guards patrol. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

And many of us have several shows or movies that are totally off-limits. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 23 Oct. 2024

From Ramses Prashad’s reluctance to understand Marissa George’s military service or her decision to not go on birth control to Monica Davis and Stephen Richardson discussing their voting history, what once seemed off-limits for the series has taken a central role. —Monique Wilson, Glamour, 23 Oct. 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