| 释义 |
off the reservation off the reservation1. Outside the bounds of control, propriety, or acceptance of a given group. The phrase refers to the forced relocation of Native Americans to Indian reservations in the United States. Because of this origin, the phrase is often considered offensive or inappropriate. The youths in this area seems content to remain largely off the reservation, as if they are beholden to no form of authority.2. Different or contrary to the accepted norm. The vice president seems to be off the reservation regarding his views on legalizing marijuana.See also: off, reservationoff the reservationBeyond acceptable limits. This term, which dates from about 1900, alludes to Native Americans who leave their assigned tracts of land, which could be dangerous. In politics, according to William Safire, to go off the reservation acquired a special meaning: to refuse to support a party’s candidate but still remain in the party. President Harry S. Truman so used it in referring to Southern Democrats who refused to support Al Smith in the 1928 election, thereby gaining support for Herbert Hoover. See also: off, reservation |