Idioms for IELTS
Lesson 21
Limitations and restrictions
- out of bounds
If a place is out of bounds you are not allowed to go there.
Example: The area has been out of bounds to foreigners for more than a month.
INOTE I You can use out-of-bounds before a noun.
Example: Avoid signposted out-of-bounds areas.
- over the top
If you describe something as over the top you think that it is too extreme.
Example: At one point, which I think is a bit over the top, he talks about the end of civilization.
I NOTE I You can also say that someone goes over the top if they do something in a way that is too extreme.
Example: Maybe he went a bit over the top with some of his language.
- overstep the mark
If you overstep the mark you offend people by doing something that is considered to be rude or unacceptable.
They agreed that by criticizing his manager so publicly, Taylor had overstepped the mark .
- step on someone’s toes or tread on someone’s toes
If you step on someone’s toes or tread on their toes you offend them by interfering in something that is their responsibility.
Example: Small shopkeepers know who sells what so they don’t step on one another’s toes.
Example: She’s already seeing another doctor about this problem – I can’t tread on his toes.
- with no strings attached or without strings
If you say that an offer of help comes with no strings attached or without strings you mean that accepting the offer does not require you to do a particular thing or give something in return.
Example: I think this is an extremely generous offer. There are no strings attached and I will recommend that everyone accepts.
Example: We must reduce our dependence on government money, which never comes without strings.
- your hands are tied
If your hands are tied something such as a law is preventing you from acting in the way that you want to.
Example: He would like to help but his hands are tied by the regulations.
[note ] You can also say that you have your hands tied or that something ties your hands .
Example: The present rule ties jockeys’ hands and I don’t feel it is fair.
Example: She felt frustrated by it all. ‘We feel as though our hands have been tied because we have no power at all.’
- bend the rules
If you bend the rules you do something which is not allowed, either to help someone else or for your own advantage.
I’m prepared to bend the rules – I may even have to break them.
INOTE I You can also say that you stretch the rules.
Example: He accused the company of stretching the sport’s rules to the limit.
- the dos and don’ts
The dos and don’ts of a particular situation are the things you should and should not do in that situation.
Example: Disasters can be avoided if a few general dos and don’ts are considered.
- draw the line
If someone knows where to draw the line they know at what point an activity or situation stops being reasonable and starts to be unacceptable.
Example: It is difficult for charities to know where to draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable sources of finance.
If you draw the line at a particular activity you would not do it because you disapprove of it or because it is so extreme.
Example: I’ll do almost anything – although I think I’d draw the line at running naked across the stage!
- a fine line between something
If there is a fine line between two different activities or situations there is a point at which they are very similar, often when one activity or situation is acceptable and the other is not.
Example: There is a fine line between being nicely looked after and never being left alone.
I NOTE I You can also talk about a thin line between two things or a narrow line between two things.
Example: There is a thin line between being a good player and being one of the best. There’s a narrow line between being interested and being nosy.
- have your hands full
If you have your hands full you are very busy.
I NOTE I You often use this expression to show that someone has many responsibilities or jobs and not enough time for any more.
Example: She’s doing fine. She’s got her hands full with the kids of course.
INOTE I You can also say that someone’s hands are full.
Example: He’s managing all three projects so his hands are full.
- off limits
If an area is off limits you are not allowed to go there.
Example: The area was kept off limits to foreign journalists until early this year.
If something is off limits you are not allowed to have it or do it.
Example: Of course, smoking was off limits everywhere.
Exercise 1
Choose the best answer to complete the sentences.
1.There’s a fine ……………. between fact and fantasy in this TV programme.
a ) line b ) mark c )limit
- Ali realized that this time he’d probably overstepped the………………..
a ) limit b ) mark c )line
- Perhaps I was a bit over the………………..,accusing you of being a traitor.
a ) line b ) top c ) mark
- I asked if he’s ever been tempted to bend the…………………for a good cause.
a ) rules b ) strings c) line
- The site of the disaster is completely off…………………..to reporters.
A ) strings b )limits c ) bounds
- The editor allowed the photos to be taken but drew the………………..at publishing them.
a ) bounds b ) strings c ) line
- When she’s not writing her hands are ………………..with her family.
a ) bound b ) empty c ) full
- The spokesman said that his hands were………………….and he could not account for the delay.
- a) fine b ) tied c ) bound