out of bounds

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of bounds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has gone beyond accepted limits or rules. For example, "John's behavior at the party was out of bounds and he ended up getting in a lot of trouble."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

23.07 Incomplete pass or out of bounds.

The New York Times - Sports

MARV ALBERT: Out of bounds!

The New Yorker

He's hit out of bounds!

Independent

"This is out of bounds".

The New York Times

"Out of bounds!" he screamed.

The New York Times - Sports

Ball goes out of bounds.

The New York Times

Out of bounds!

The New York Times

No subject seems out of bounds.

The New York Times

The hotel bar is out of bounds.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Also, in hockey there is no out-of-bounds.

The New Yorker

They can't pass the out-of-bounds areas.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sports writing, confirm you're using "out of bounds" for literal spatial violations rather than metaphorical ones, which may need a different term.

Common error

Avoid using "out of bounds" when a more specific term like "inappropriate" or "unethical" better captures the nature of the transgression. Overusing "out of bounds" can dilute the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of bounds" functions as an adjectival phrase when describing something prohibited or exceeding acceptable limits. It also functions as an adverbial phrase when indicating movement or position outside a designated area, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

30%

General Conversation

15%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "out of bounds" is a versatile term with multiple applications, primarily denoting something that is prohibited or beyond acceptable limits. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It commonly appears in news, sports, and everyday conversations. To ensure clarity, remember to define the specific boundary or limit being referenced. While generally neutral, the formality of its use can shift depending on the context, being more formal in legal or sports-related scenarios and more informal in casual conversation. Alternatives like ""off-limits"" and "beyond the pale" can be used to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

off-limits

Implies a restriction or prohibition, similar to "out of bounds" but focuses on accessibility.

over the line

Signifies crossing a boundary of acceptable behavior, analogous to exceeding limits in "out of bounds".

beyond the limit

Highlights the exceeding of a defined boundary, akin to "out of bounds".

forbidden

Suggests a formal or explicit prohibition, like "out of bounds" but more direct.

not allowed

A straightforward expression of prohibition, paralleling the restriction implied by "out of bounds".

beyond the pale

Indicates behavior or actions that are unacceptable or shocking, relating to exceeding social norms like "out of bounds".

inadmissible

Often used in legal or formal contexts to describe something not allowed or accepted, mirroring the restriction in "out of bounds".

unacceptable

A general term for not being allowed or approved of. Broader than "out of bounds".

impermissible

Similar to inadmissible, indicating something not permitted.

out of order

Indicates something is not functioning correctly or is inappropriate, subtly different from exceeding limits.

FAQs

How can I use "out of bounds" in a sentence?

You can use "out of bounds" to describe physical spaces that are restricted, such as "The cemetery is "off-limits"" or behaviors that exceed acceptable limits, such as "His comments were "over the line"".

What's the difference between "out of bounds" and "off-limits"?

"Out of bounds" often refers to physical boundaries in sports or specific areas, while ""off-limits"" generally describes areas or topics that are restricted or prohibited.

What can I say instead of "out of bounds" to describe unacceptable behavior?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "beyond the pale", "unacceptable", or "inappropriate".

Is it correct to say something is "completely out of bounds"?

Yes, "completely out of bounds" is a valid and emphatic way to express that something is entirely unacceptable or far beyond any reasonable limit.