もってのほか

も

っ

て

の

ほ

か

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective, noun

outrageous; preposterous; unthinkable

usually written using kana alone

Expresses strong disapproval; something is so improper or unreasonable that it is beyond consideration. Often used in formal or emphatic contexts.

そんな要よう求きゅうはもっての外ほかだ。
Such a demand is outrageous.

彼かれの態たい度どはもっての外ほかだった。

His attitude was most improper.

Written forms

もっての外ほかUsage9%
search-only kanji form
Usually written in kana; the kanji spelling 以ての外 is also used but less common.
もってのほかUsage86%
以もっての外ほかUsage6%
Kanji form; less common than the kana spelling.

Kanji

以by means of, because, in view of
外outside

Similar words

とんでもない
とんでもない is more colloquial and can express surprise or strong denial, while もっての外 is more formal and judgmental.
言ごん語ご道どう断だん
言語道断 is a stronger, more literary expression meaning 'utterly outrageous' or 'unspeakable', often used in formal writing.

Etymology

From 以て (もって, 'with; by means of') + の + 外 (ほか, 'outside; other'). Literally 'outside of what is acceptable', it came to mean something beyond the bounds of propriety.