No man's land

Meaning

A zone between two opposing sides, often dangerous.

Usage

Used to describe unclaimed or risky territory.

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.

From a medieval English term for waste ground, including a plot outside London used for executions. The sense of land between trenches came in World War I.

In use since the 14th century; the military sense spread in the 20th century.