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Off the Reservation

What Does "Off the Reservation" Mean?

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"Off the reservation" is an English idiom. It means "acting or behaving in a way that is unconventional or outside the norm; not following the rules or expectations."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "off the reservation" used in a sentence:
  • Her off-the-reservation ideas challenged traditional thinking in the industry.
  • His off-the-reservation comments shocked the conservative audience.
  • The artist's work was off the reservation, pushing boundaries and provoking discussion.
meaning for off the reservation

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Off the Reservation" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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