to push to the limit

Examples

• All

• In his latest race, he had to push to the limit to finish in first place despite his injuries.

• Also, having been pushed to the limit by bureaucratic interference, consumers and entrepreneurs were ready for a change.

  Academic text (1994)

• I have the ability to push myself to the limit, and I will never let myself quit.

  Getting LOST (2024)

• Do you want to push yourself to the limit?

  Blog text (28)

• We've gotta push them to the limit.

  Fly Away Home (1996)

• Those who pass begin six months of training that pushes them to the limit.

  Academic text (2011)

• Now he pushes his skills to the limit to win the competition and satisfy a bet.

  Blog text (17)

• Changes are a normal part of adolescence and require young people to push their coping skills to the limit.

  Academic text (1991)

• Pushed to the limit, the rules don't assure a lot of time for sleep.

  Academic text (2007)

• The trainer encouraged the athletes to push to the limit during their final workout before the competition.

Synonyms

S

to strain

vsto push to the limit

87 4.2

To use a lot of effort to do something difficult

is clearly about testing maximum capacity or endurance through exertion

G

to go all out

vsto push to the limit

39 4.1

To try as hard as you can with a lot of energy

adds the idea of testing actual capacity rather than just trying hard

P

to push it

vsto push to the limit

• Informal

39 5.3

To try very hard to do more than usual

is more about forcing full capacity or endurance as a goal

P

to push the envelope

vsto push to the limit

33 7.3

To try new ideas that go beyond accepted limits

is about testing physical or mental endurance rather than innovation

E

to exert

vsto push to the limit

33 4.1

Make a strong physical or mental effort

adds the specific goal of reaching maximum capacity or endurance

M

to max out

vsto push to the limit

• Informal

27 4.9

Reach the highest level or amount

focuses more on the act of exerting to discover that maximum

E

to extend

vsto push to the limit

15 3.5

To use all your energy or skill to try to do something

centres more on pushing until maximum capacity or endurance is reached

P

to put the pedal to the metal

vsto push to the limit

• Informal

7 6.3

To drive or work as fast as possible, often to finish something

is more about speed but can imply testing speed or performance limits

S

to stress

vsto push to the limit

4 3.4

To make someone or something work near its limits

is similar but focuses on active exertion to discover physical limits

O

to overexert

vsto push to the limit

4 6.5

Make more effort than your body or mind can handle

may be a deliberate push to test limits rather than accidental strain

P

to push oneself harder

vsto push to the limit

4 3.5

Try much harder to work or train

adds the aim of reaching or testing maximum ability or capacity

O

to overexert oneself

vsto push to the limit

3 7.2

Make too much effort with your body or mind so it is unhealthy

can include controlled testing of limits without implying harm

O

to overdrive

vsto push to the limit

1 6.3

To make someone work too hard until they are tired

can mean purposeful testing of limits rather than only harmful overuse

P

to push it to the limit

vsto push to the limit

• Informal

1 7.2

Use all your energy and take big risks to test your skill

emphasizes exerting maximum effort specifically to test limits

G

to go to the ends of the earth

vsto push to the limit

1 5.9

To try very hard and do anything to achieve something

is narrower, focusing on testing physical or capacity limits specifically

E

to extend oneself

vsto push to the limit

1 6.9

To make a big effort beyond your usual limits

focuses specifically on deliberately testing exact capacity or endurance

O

to overstretch

vsto push to the limit

1 5.5

To push someone or something beyond what they can manage

focuses on deliberate testing of maximum ability rather than only harm

S

to strain every nerve

vsto push to the limit

• Informal

1 7.2

Try as hard as possible to do something

is aimed more at testing endurance or limits than achieving a goal

P

to push into overdrive

vsto push to the limit

6.1

To work much harder and faster to get something done

describes raising effort to test endurance rather than just starting fast

O

to overstrain

vsto push to the limit

6.5

To push yourself or something too hard so it breaks and you become very tired

may be used when testing capacity without necessarily causing damage

W

to work to the bone

vsto push to the limit

• Informal

6.0

To do very hard, long tasks until you are very tired

highlights testing endurance and maximum capacity rather than long effort

B

to break one's back

vsto push to the limit

• Informal

6.0

To work very hard at something until you are very tired

emphasizes testing capacity or endurance rather than self sacrifice

S

to shoot one's load

vsto push to the limit

• Offensive

9.9

Use all your energy at once and have none left in a rude way

can also describe sustained pushing to discover overall limits

Antonyms

H

to hold back

187 3.2

Stop someone or something from moving forward

U

to underperform

20 5.3

To do worse than expected or needed

How Hard

to overexert

4 6.5

to push to the limit

7 5.1

to push oneself harder

4 3.5

to try

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology