I have seen both 'off-limits' and 'off limits' used in the same context. A thing that is off(-)limits is forbidden to be used or otherwise restricted to only some people's usage from my understanding.
I'm asking if I should use a hyphen or not.
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2As I show in my answer, dictionaries can help with this. A good dictionary will have example of the use of a phrase like "off-limits".– James KCommented May 23, 2021 at 11:13
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1 Answer
When you use it as a compound word you can hyphenate (though as you have discovered, hyphenation is optional)
When you use it as prepostion+noun then don't hyphenate, likewise if "off" is part of a phrasal verb.
The forbidden forest is off-limits (or off limits) to all students.
We have taken off limits on the number of people who can meet inside.
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So when used as an adjective, it should be hyphenated (first example) and when it connects to a verb, it should not be (second example)? Redundant question, but just to be sure...– Ge ToCommented May 23, 2021 at 11:17
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Yes. In the second case it is not a compound word "off-limits" but two separate words "taken off" and "limits" But look at the dictionary links for more examples. Hyphenation is optional (though increasingly common)– James KCommented May 23, 2021 at 11:18
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We only have the second case in my language so I got a bit confused.– Ge ToCommented May 23, 2021 at 11:20