within limits

within limits

To or within an acceptable, reasonable, or appropriate degree or limit. We encourage our employees to socialize with clients, but within limits. I don't mind if you have a party next door, but please try to keep the noise within bounds.
See also: limit, within
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

within limits

 and within bounds
up to a certain point; with certain restrictions. You're free to do what you wantwithin limits, of course. You must try to keep behavior at the party within bounds.
See also: limit, within
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

within ˈlimits


1 to a certain extent; not completely: ‘Do you support what he says?’ ‘Yes, within limits!’
2 as long as it is reasonable; to a reasonable degree: I will do anything I can to help you, within limits, of course.
See also: limit, within
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • within bounds
  • move within range
  • come within range
  • within range
  • within call
  • inch
  • within hail
  • fall within
  • fall within (something)
  • bring (something) within range
References in classic literature
I could not depend on having a Latinist in the right place every time; so, to make things safe, I ordered that in the future the chamois must not be hunted within limits of the camp with any other weapon than the forefinger.
"Consider yourself encouraged," she whispered; and instantly added, with the ineradicable female instinct of self-defense, "within limits!"
I confess that I am very much to blame myself; I do not conceal the fact; but the conduct, the outrageous behaviour of this woman, must really be kept within limits, by the police if necessary, and I am just on my way now to talk the question over and make some arrangements.
They were inclined, within limits, to let him do what he liked, but they drew the line pretty sharply at us.
There was a strong feeling in the School against catching hold and throwing, though it was generally ruled all fair within limits; so the ring was broken and the fight stopped.
And he who goes the furthest, and does the worst, only uses within limits the power that the law gives him."
I--hum--I necessarily make that appeal within limited bounds, or I--ha--should render legible, by that lady, what I desire to be blotted out.
A callous man Majid Ali of Shahkhail Ghari village within limits of Saddar Police Station Manshera shot dead his father, sister, brother and sister-in-law over a property dispute.
First incident occurred within limits of Howaid Police Station, where unknown assailants shot dead a 55-year-old man and fled the scene.
Similarly, two unknown robbers picked up a motorcycle from outside of Nawaz Sharif Park, within limits of PS New Town.
Each unit must, therefore, have wide autonomy within limits set by the general decisions of the management of the whole.
The spokesman said Sukkur police also took action within limits of different police stations and arrested 11 narcotics sellers.
'We are not afraid of criticism; it is tolerated in the whole world but the criticism should be within limits,' Justice Saeed said.
According to police, a bus carrying workers of Lucky Cement Factory was crossing Chunda Chungi within limits of Darra Pezu police station when assailant opened indoctrinate fire on the vehicle, killing Amirullah and Syed Wali on the spot and injuring another whose name could not be ascertained immediately.
SSP Hyderabad took notice of the viral video which captured the madrassah teacher, identified as Shabbir Ahmed s/o Ghulam Hussain, beating up students who had come to learn the Holy Quran in a mosque situated within limits of the Cantt Police Station.