be off the reservation

1. To be outside the bounds of control, propriety, or acceptance of a given group. The phrase refers to the forced relocation of Native Americans to Indian reservations in the United States. Because of this origin, the phrase is often considered offensive or inappropriate. The youths in this area act like they are off the reservation more and more these days, disregarding anything they see as a form of authority.

2. To think or act differently or contrary to the accepted norm. The vice president seems to be off the reservation regarding his views on legalizing marijuana.

go off the reservation

1. To go or act outside the bounds of control, propriety, or acceptance of a given group. The phrase refers to the forced relocation of Native Americans to Indian reservations in the United States. Because of this origin, the phrase is often considered offensive or inappropriate. The youths in this area are going off the reservation more and more these days, disregarding anything they see as a form of authority.

2. To think or act differently or contrary to the accepted norm. The vice president seems to have gone off the reservation regarding his views on legalizing marijuana.

make a reservation

To guarantee in advance that one has a position or place within a location or venue. The restaurant gets really busy on Fridays, so we'll need to make a reservation ahead of time. You can usually get seats on the train on the day, but I always feel better making a reservation online.

off the reservation

1. Outside the bounds of control, propriety, or acceptance of a given group. The phrase refers to the forced relocation of Native Americans to Indian reservations in the United States. Because of this origin, the phrase is often considered offensive or inappropriate. The youths in this area seems content to remain largely off the reservation, as if they are beholden to no form of authority.

2. Different or contrary to the accepted norm. The vice president seems to be off the reservation regarding his views on legalizing marijuana.

with reservations

With doubts or feelings of unease. Although Jim signed the contract, he did so with reservations about whether he was actually making the best decision.

make a reservation

and make reservations

to reserve a seat, as in an airplane, restaurant, or theater in advance; to reserve a room, as in a hotel in advance. Did you make a reservation or are we just going to chance getting a table? I made reservations for a flight at twelve noon.

off the reservation

Beyond acceptable limits. This term, which dates from about 1900, alludes to Native Americans who leave their assigned tracts of land, which could be dangerous. In politics, according to William Safire, to go off the reservation acquired a special meaning: to refuse to support a party’s candidate but still remain in the party. President Harry S. Truman so used it in referring to Southern Democrats who refused to support Al Smith in the 1928 election, thereby gaining support for Herbert Hoover.