Out of bounds Meaning in English
expression
OWT-uhv-BOUNDZ
OWT-ov-BOUNDZ
Definition
Used in sports to say something is outside the allowed area. Also used more generally to mean forbidden or not allowed.
Usage & Nuances
Common in sports (like basketball, soccer, tennis) for balls or players outside the legal area. Figuratively, can refer to topics, behavior, or places that are forbidden. In formal writing, often means not permitted. Do not use for simply being outside a building—it's about boundaries.
Spanish: fuera de límites - fuera de juego (deporte)Portuguese (BR): fora dos limites - fora de campo (esporte)Portuguese (PT): fora dos limites - fora de campo (desporto)Chinese (Simplified): 出界 - 禁区（比喻不可进入的地方）Chinese (Traditional): 出界 - 禁區（比喻不可進入的地方）Hindi: सीमा के बाहर - वर्जित क्षेत्रArabic: خارج الحدود - منطقة محظورةBengali: সীমানার বাইরে - নিষিদ্ধRussian: за пределами поля - запрещённыйJapanese: アウト・オブ・バウンズ - 立入禁止Vietnamese: ngoài ranh giới - cấm vàoKorean: 경계 밖 - 출입 금지Turkish: saha dışı - yasak bölgeUrdu: حد سے باہر - ممنوعIndonesian: di luar batas - terlarang
Example Sentences
The ball went out of bounds during the game.
basic
Players cannot step out of bounds or they lose possession.
basic
The playground is out of bounds after dark.
basic
Sorry, that area’s out of bounds for visitors.
natural
Talking about salary is usually out of bounds in this company.
natural
Is this room out of bounds, or can I go in?
natural