in bounds
in bounds
1. Within an acceptable, reasonable, or appropriate degree or limit. We encourage our employees to socialize with clients, but you must keep the relationship in bounds. The noise from your party was not in bounds of the neighborhood rules. Keep your jokes in bounds, OK?
2. sports Inside the boundary of play. The referee ruled that the player was in bounds when she caught the ball.
3. Adherent to some prescribed laws, guidelines, codes, etc. The laws laid out within our holy book exist in order to keep people in bounds. The structures of the autocratic society keep the common man in bounds, while the rich and powerful maintain control.
See also: bound
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
- within limits
- within bounds
- (something) is one thing, (something else) is (quite) another
- it's one thing to (do sth), it's another thing to (do sth else)
- it's one thing to (do sth), it's quite another to (do sth else)
- it's one thing to do A, it's another to do B
- it's one thing to (do something), it's another to (do something else)
- the done thing
- go out with the boys
- go out with the girls