within bounds; within the pale
Used in formal or literary contexts to mean something is within acceptable limits or standards. Often appears in the negative form 埒外 (らちがい) for 'out of bounds' or 'beyond the pale'.
His behavior goes beyond the bounds of what is acceptable.
This discussion is still within the pale.
Standard kanji spelling; 埒 is a relatively uncommon kanji but this is the established form.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling sometimes used when 埒 is difficult to read or write.
Compound of 埒 (らち, 'bounds, limits') + 内 (ない, 'inside'). The kanji 埒 originally referred to a fence or enclosure, giving the sense of being within established limits.