Push, stretch limits - A phrase used to misuse | Learn advanced English vocabulary

All certain time periods are marked by the love for a particular word or phrase, such as rizz, swag, etc. Phrases with limits have also drawn so much love from people that they have begun to use limits as they wish.

Basically the phrases with limits generally mean to go beyond the conventional restraints and find one's true potential.

This blog will explore correct phrases with grammar for the said meaning.

1.

push the limit/ stretch the limit

push the boundaries (of)

It can also be in the plural (push/stretch the limits, not simply limits.)

Recently, people have come up with their own equivalent version: push one's limits.

Meaning: Either the doer, action, or result has a limit on what is possible. However, by pushing the limit even further, it refers to going beyond what is thought to be possible (to try to do a bit more than what's allowed, pushing oneself to his/her physical or mental limits)

I don't think the deadline is sufficient. However, I am pushing the limit here.

We aim to push the boundaries of what we can achieve.

When the speaker is talking about himself, we generally use this phrase.

On the other hand, when someone or something does this to someone else, often in an annoying way, we use the following phrase:

2.

push someone to his limits/ be pushed to one's limits

push someone to the limit/ be pushed to the limit

If it is a thing, 

push something to its limit/be pushed to its limit

push something to the limit/be pushed to the limit

(limit or limits, both are okay)

She was pushed to her limit. She did not want to go bungee jumping but he forced her to.

The constant stress at work has pushed her to her limits, and she needs a break.

The constant pressure at work is really pushing me to the limit.

She felt like her manager was pushing her to the limit with all the extra tasks.

The following are synonyms:

stretched to the max

tested to the breaking point

3.

push someone to the limit where...

This phrase not only mention the act of pushing someone to the limit but also delineate the limit.

People usually push the other people to the limit where they can't control themselves.

4.

push to the limit of/ be pushed to the limit of

test to the limit of/ be tested to the limit of

push/test somebody/something to the limit

This phrase mentions the limit of what aspect.

She pushed him to the limit of his abilities.

In addition, 

There are a variety of phrases people use nowadays that include the word limit. Here are some common ones:

No limits to – Implies there are no boundaries or restrictions.

"With the right mindset, there are no limits to what you can achieve."

Set/put a limit on– To define a boundary or maximum extent for something.

"We need to set a limit on how much time we spend on this project."

Limit your expectations – To have realistic or reduced expectations in order to avoid disappointment.

"It's probably best to limit your expectations for the new movie."

To the limit – To do something to the extreme or maximum capacity.

"They took the car to the limit on that road trip."

"The team performed to the limit of its capabilities."

Limit of patience – Refers to the point where someone can no longer tolerate something.

"I've reached my limit of patience with this situation."

Push the envelope/limit – To go beyond what is expected or known; to try new things that are outside conventional boundaries.

"That movie really pushes the limit of what we expect from science fiction."

At the limit – At the maximum point or threshold.

"The car was operating at its limit, but it still managed to finish the race."

Above/below/beyond/over/under/outside the limit/the limits (of)

"Heat levels rose beyond the recommended limits."

"The price fell below the lower limit."

Within limits - to some extent, but not allowing everything:

"I'll pay for what you need - within limits."

Without limit/limits - with no restriction

"The potential energy does not increase without limit"

know one's limits - realize one's capacity.

I'd like to play squash, but I'm 60 and I know my limits.

push/test the limits of something : to surpass, often in a negative tone

It's a movie that stretches the limits of believability.

Generally, the collocational prepositions of limit are to, on, of.

Generally, verb collocations are put, impose, set, define, place, exceed, reach, reduce, push, streth, etc.

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