Placement of “off the beaten track” in context

Question

I know that "off the beaten track" means "unusual". Can it be used before a noun and after a verb?

For example,

• an off the beaten track place
• This holiday is off the beaten track.

Is it used only when talking about things?

Answer 1

Yes, you can.

"Off the beaten track" means out of the ordinary or unusual, but that's not its only meaning. It can also mean in a remote location, or somewhere that's out of the way or out of a central, popular or touristy area.

You can use it as an attributive adjective:

They found a quiet off-the-beaten-track resort.

Like what @J.R. commented, you'll need hyphens to make an adjective out of a phrase.

You can also use it as a predicative adjective:

The farmhouse we stayed in was completely off the beaten track.

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It's often used for things and places, but it can also be used to talk about people:

What do they think of you being so far off the beaten track?

Women Writers off the Beaten Track