a bridge too far

USAGE SUMMARY

"a bridge too far" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom used to mean something that is too ambitious or difficult to accomplish. For example: The team tried to win the championship, but it was a bridge too far.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bruer (1997) only a decade ago even stated that this interaction was a bridge too far.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

This is simply a bridge too far.

The New York Times

"This is a bridge too far".

The New York Times

Sno Balls were a bridge too far.

The New York Times - Food

Hashi: a bridge too far?

The Times

It may be "A Bridge Too Far".

The New York Times

It's been a bridge too far.

The Guardian - Sport

That's going a bridge too far.

The New York Times

Ms. Brewer called the ballot bill "a bridge too far".

The New York Times

The Oval Office, alas, proved a bridge too far.

Independent

"This was just a bridge too far," Mr. Leahy fumes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bridge too far" to describe situations where goals are unattainable due to excessive ambition or unrealistic circumstances. Make sure the context clearly illustrates the impossibility of the goal.

Common error

Avoid using "a bridge too far" for situations that are merely challenging but still achievable. The phrase implies an inherent impossibility, not just a difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bridge too far" functions as an idiomatic expression, signifying that something is beyond reach or impossible to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bridge too far" is a common idiom used to describe something that is too ambitious or impossible to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. It is best used to describe situations where the goal is inherently unattainable, rather than merely challenging. Related phrases include "over the line" and "beyond reach", which share the sense of exceeding reasonable limits or possibilities. Avoid using it for situations that are simply difficult but still potentially achievable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over the line

Suggests exceeding acceptable limits or boundaries, similar to pushing too far.

beyond reach

Indicates something is unattainable or impossible to achieve, akin to being too far to reach.

out of bounds

Implies exceeding established limits or acceptable behavior, comparable to going too far.

unrealistic expectation

Focuses on the impracticality or impossibility of an expectation, similar to "a bridge too far" in terms of ambition.

excessive demand

Highlights the unreasonableness of a request or requirement, akin to something being too much to handle.

an impossible task

Emphasizes the infeasibility of a task, reflecting the insurmountable nature of "a bridge too far".

biting off more than one can chew

Describes taking on more than one can handle, indicating overambition.

overreaching oneself

Implies attempting something beyond one's capabilities or resources.

too much to ask

Highlights the unreasonableness or difficulty of a request.

pushing the envelope too much

Emphasizes exceeding acceptable limits or taking risks too far.

FAQs

How can I use "a bridge too far" in a sentence?

Use "a bridge too far" to describe a goal or endeavor that is too ambitious or impossible to achieve. For example, "Attempting to implement that policy in such a short timeframe was "a bridge too far"".

What's a simpler way to say "a bridge too far"?

Simpler alternatives to "a bridge too far" include phrases like "too ambitious", "unrealistic", or "impossible". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean when something is "a bridge too far"?

When something is "a bridge too far", it means that it's an endeavor or goal that is too ambitious, difficult, or unrealistic to be successfully accomplished. It often implies that the attempt is doomed to failure.

Is "a bridge too far" related to the movie of the same name?

Yes, the phrase "a bridge too far" gained widespread recognition from the movie "A Bridge Too Far", which depicts a failed Allied military operation during World War II. The movie's title reinforces the meaning of the idiom: an overambitious plan that ultimately fails.