hors des clous

French

Alternative forms

Etymology

The limits of crosswalks used to be marked with very large-headed nails.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ɔʁ de klu/

Prepositional phrase

hors des clous

  1. (literally) out of the limits of the crosswalk, outside of a designated crossing
    traverser hors des clous ― to jaywalk
  2. (figuratively) out of the box; off the books (not abiding by the rules)
    Antonym: dans les clous

See also
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