beyond the pale

beyond the pale
Meaning
Unacceptable; outside agreed standards of decency.
Origin
The 'pale' derives from paling meaning fence. In the UK The Pale was the region of Dublin under English rule. There were also pales in other places, e.g. Russia. See also, 'below the salt'

Meaning and origin of phrases. 2013.

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  • Beyond the Pale — is a phrase referring to unacceptable behaviour (see the first link below for further information). It may also refer to:*The Irish Pale, a demarcation line in Ireland while under English dominion. *The Pale of Settlement, an area of permitted… …   Wikipedia

  • beyond the pale — {adv.} or {adj. phr.} In disgrace; with no chance of being accepted or respected by others; not approved by the members of a group. * /After the outlaw killed a man he was beyond the pale and not even his old friends would talk to him./ * /Tom s… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • beyond the pale — {adv.} or {adj. phr.} In disgrace; with no chance of being accepted or respected by others; not approved by the members of a group. * /After the outlaw killed a man he was beyond the pale and not even his old friends would talk to him./ * /Tom s… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • beyond the pale — Pale Pale, n. [F. pal, fr. L. palus: cf. D. paal. See {Pole} a stake, and 1st {Pallet}.] 1. A pointed stake or slat, either driven into the ground, or fastened to a rail at the top and bottom, for fencing or inclosing; a picket. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • beyond the pale — If something s beyond the pale, it is too extreme to be acceptable morally or socially …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • beyond the pale — beyond the limit, over the boundary    His comment went beyond the pale of respect. It was vulgar …   English idioms

  • beyond the pale — ► beyond the pale outside the boundaries of acceptable behaviour. Main Entry: ↑pale …   English terms dictionary

  • beyond the pale — UNACCEPTABLE, unseemly, improper, unsuitable, unreasonable, intolerable, disgraceful, deplorable, outrageous, scandalous, shocking; informal not on, not the done thing, out of order, out of line; Austral./NZ informal over the fence; formal… …   Useful english dictionary

  • beyond\ the\ pale — adv or adj. phr. In disgrace; with no chance of being accepted or respected by others; not approved by the members of a group. After the outlaw killed a man he was beyond the pale and not even his old friends would talk to him. Tom s swearing is… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • beyond the pale — not acceptable to most people. For most people, a discussion like this has been simply beyond the pale. Etymology: based on a past meaning of pale (= an area in Ireland, Scotland, or France controlled by England), and the idea that places outside …   New idioms dictionary

  • beyond the pale — outside the bounds of acceptable behavior What they are doing is totally unacceptable and beyond the pale …   Idioms and examples

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