Beyond the pale

Meaning

Unacceptable or outside the bounds of civility.

Usage

Used for moral or social reproach.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Refers to 'pale' as a boundary; actions outside it were outside accepted norms.

Used in 18th-century British colonial administration to describe uncivilized regions.