is off limits

USAGE SUMMARY

"off limits" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is forbidden or prohibited, usually by a rule or law. For example, "The rooftop terrace is off limits to all personnel not authorized by the security team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The subject is off limits.

The New York Times - Sports

And her personal life is off limits for discussion.

The New York Times

Anything sexual is off limits.

Science Magazine

Says Sykes, "Nothing is off limits".

Forbes

Virtually nothing is off limits.

Forbes

This money is off limits.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Fighting, though, is off-limits.

The Economist

No topic is off-limits in theater.

The New York Times

So, Rio 2016 is off-limits, right?

Independent

Even coffee is off-limits.

The Washington Post

And no question is off-limits!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is off limits" when you want to clearly communicate that something is not permitted or accessible, whether due to rules, safety concerns, or privacy considerations.

Common error

Avoid using "is off limits" when the restriction is temporary or conditional. Use more precise language like "temporarily unavailable" or "restricted access" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is off limits" primarily functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes a state or condition of being restricted or prohibited. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase indicates something not allowed or accessible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is off limits" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something is restricted or prohibited. As Ludwig AI confirms, its meaning is consistent across a wide range of contexts, from news and media to academic discussions. While it maintains a neutral register, it is most frequently found in news and media sources. When writing, ensure you use it to clearly convey restrictions, considering alternatives like ""is forbidden"" or "is restricted" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is forbidden

Uses a more formal term to indicate prohibition.

is prohibited

Similar to "is forbidden", but can apply to rules, laws, or regulations.

is not allowed

Directly states the lack of permission for something.

is not permitted

Formal synonym for "is not allowed".

is restricted

Implies limitations or constraints rather than complete prohibition.

is out of bounds

Uses spatial metaphor to indicate something beyond acceptable limits.

is closed off

Emphasizes the state of being shut down or unavailable.

is inaccessible

Focuses on the inability to access something, whether physically or figuratively.

is unavailable

Focuses on the lack of availability for use or consumption.

is not up for discussion

Indicates that a topic or issue cannot be debated or considered.

FAQs

How can I use "is off limits" in a sentence?

You can use "is off limits" to indicate that something is prohibited or restricted, like "That area "is forbidden"" or "The topic "is not up for discussion"".

What does "is off limits" mean?

"Is off limits" means that something "is prohibited", restricted, or not allowed, either physically or figuratively.

Which is correct, "is off limits" or "are off limits"?

"Is off limits" is used with singular nouns or concepts. "Are off limits" is used with plural nouns, for example: "Those topics "are unavailable"".

What are some alternatives to "is off limits"?

Alternatives include ""is forbidden"", ""is prohibited"", or "is restricted", depending on the specific context.