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beyond the pale

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Acronyms, Wikipedia 0.06 sec.
beyond the pale
Fig. unacceptable; outlawed. (A. pale is a barrier made of wooden stakes.) Your behavior is simply beyond the pale. Because of Tom's rudeness, he's considered beyond the pale and is never asked to parties anymore.
See also: beyond, pale

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 this area were dangerous for the English
See also: beyond, pale


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? References in classic literature
for they had placed themselves beyond the pale of humanity, by crossing the limits imposed by the Creator on his earthly creatures.
His opinions were always impersonal; and now as their manner rather than their make has been slightly tempered, it may surprise the belated reader to learn that it was the belief of one English critic that their author had "placed himself beyond the pale of decency" by them.
It was absolutely beyond the pale of possibility that Alvarez should desert me.
 
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