out-of-bounds
out-of-bounds — adjective
1. used to say a place has been closed off and people must keep away from it
used to say a place has been closed off and people must keep away from it
After the chemical leak, the old lab was out-of-bounds to students.
be out-of-bounds to someone
Camp leaders said the riverbank was out-of-bounds after dark.
During repairs, the museum roof stayed out-of-bounds for visitors.
The captain warned us that the north trail was out-of-bounds.
- off-limits
the closest everyday match for a place people must not enter
- forbidden
broader and often more formal, stressing a rule rather than a marked area
- restricted
can mean only certain people may enter, not always everyone
- open
available for people to enter or use
- accessible
emphasizes that people are allowed and able to reach it
文法句型
be out-of-bounds to + person
be out-of-bounds after + time
用法筆記
Most often used after be, stay, or remain for land, rooms, or sections of a building. Distinguish it from adjective/3, which is about behaviour or topics that cross a limit rather than a physical place.
2. used in sports when a ball has crossed a boundary line and is no longer in play
used in sports when a ball has crossed a boundary line and is no longer in play
Hyun's serve landed out-of-bounds and gave the next point away.
serve land out-of-bounds
The referee ruled the shot out-of-bounds after it hit the sideline post.
rule a shot out-of-bounds
Caleb watched the ball roll out-of-bounds near the team bench.
One bad pass sent the ball out-of-bounds behind the goal.
- out
the shortest and most common sports call
- not in play
more explanatory and less like a shouted call
文法句型
ball go out-of-bounds
rule a shot out-of-bounds
用法筆記
Common in tennis, basketball, football, and similar games. Unlike adjective/1, this sense is about the ball leaving the marked field of play, not about people entering a place.
常見錯誤
3. used for words or actions that go past what rules, manners, or the situation acc
used for words or actions that go past what rules, manners, or the situation accept
The joke was out-of-bounds once Emre mocked the new teacher's accent.
be out-of-bounds once a limit is crossed
Once the debate turned personal, Sade felt the comments were out-of-bounds.
Asking about Noa's divorce during the interview was out-of-bounds.
Charging extra after the agreement was clearly out-of-bounds.
- unacceptable
broader and more neutral, without the image of crossing a line
- over the line
informal and very close in the idea of crossing a limit
- improper
more formal and often used for behaviour or procedure
- acceptable
within the limits people or rules allow
- within bounds
keeps the same boundary image in a more formal way
文法句型
be out-of-bounds for a question or remark
step out-of-bounds by + -ing
用法筆記
Often describes remarks, questions, or decisions that break social or official limits. Distinguish it from adjective/1, which marks a physical area, and adjective/2, which is only for sports play.