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

Shortly after Trump took office, the Department of Homeland Security made schools and churches – locations previously off-limits – fair game for raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025

This new directive, announced on Tuesday, aims to empower federal immigration officers to arrest migrants at places previously deemed off-limits by guidelines issued over a decade ago. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

There was excitement at the access granted after Liverpool’s dramatic Carabao Cup victory with a youthful side over Chelsea at Wembley in February, when cameras were allowed in the changing room— something that was deemed off-limits when filming started as Klopp was firmly against it. —Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

Graveyards have not been totally off-limits in past eras. —Keegan Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025

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