bound

"bound up in / with,"

1. inseparably connected with.

2. devoted or attached to: 
She is bound up in her teaching.

"bound up with," 

closely or inextricably linked with:
his irritability is bound up with his work.

"I'll be bound," 

I am sure (something) is true.

"by leaps and bounds," 

with unexpectedly rapid progess:
her condition improved by leaps and bounds.

"beat the bounds,"

British (formerly), to define the boundaries of a parish by making a procession around them and hitting the ground with rods.

"out-of-bounds,"

1. Sports. being beyond or passing the limits or boundaries of a field, course, etc., marking the area within which the ball, puck, or the like is legally in play.

2. beyond any established boundaries or prescribed limits; prohibited; forbidden.

3. further than or beyond established limits, as of behavior or thought.

"out of bounds" (adjective, adverb (postpositive):

1. (often foll by to) not to be entered (by); barred (to):
out of bounds to civilians.

2. outside specified or prescribed limits.

3. Beyond established limits, breaking the rules, unreasonable:
Calling the teacher a liar—that's out of bounds.

This expression alludes to the boundaries of the playing area in numerous sports and to the rules applying to them. Its figurative use dates from the 1940s. [Early 1800s] Also see "within bounds."

Origin:

See origin of bound.*

Sources: 1, 2.

Updated: 13 August 2020 {5:28 PM}