What does 限り mean in this case?

Question

当然ながら箱ごと盗むなんてのは、よほどのことでもない限り不可能だし

So from the context I kind of understand it:

"Of course stealing that box is impossible"

or something along the line.

How does the 限り function here?

Answer 1

限り means something like "the limit", as in the maximum amount or degree.

It can function like this:

よほどのことがない限り不可能だ。

• To the limit that there is nothing really out of the ordinary, it's impossible.
• So long as there is nothing really out of the ordinary, it's impossible.

私が知る限りでは不可能だ

• To the limit that I know, it's impossible.
• As far as I know, it's impossible.