OUT OF BOUNDS

{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Outside of the boundary lines in a game; not on or inside the playing field. * /Bill thought he had scored a touchdown, but he had stepped out of bounds before he reached the goal line./ 2. Outside of a circumscribed area for a certain kind of work, such as construction or military site. * /The principal told the students that the new gymnasium being built on the school grounds was out of bounds./ * /The captain's cabin is out of bounds to the passengers on the ship./ Contrast: WITHIN BOUNDS. 3. Outside of safe or proper limits; not doing what is proper; breaking the rules of good behavior. * /John was out of bounds when he called Tom a liar in the meeting./ * /His request for a 25% salary raise was totally out of bounds./