at their limit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their limit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone has reached the maximum capacity or threshold of endurance or capability. Example: "The team was working tirelessly, and by the end of the week, they felt they were at their limit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

With lake waters at their limit, there were only two choices, neither of them good.

The New York Times

Absolute flight numbers are at their limit at Heathrow, where only bigger, fuller planes can deliver more passengers.

The Guardian - Business

"Older facilities are often at their limit and taxed," said Stanley Stark, a managing partner for the firm.

The New York Times

She said she had an empty bank account, credit cards at their limit and $10.10 in her wallet.

The New York Times

Michael Clarke is Andrew Flintoff The bodies of these men are at their limit in meeting the burden placed upon them.

The Guardian - Sport

Under the current regime they can borrow against future rental income but the amount is capped and some councils are at their limit.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Some players are at their limits".

Independent

"We have many dams at their limits".

The New York Times

Staff deliver an efficient, caring service, but they are already at their limits.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The country and society have arrived at their limits," the government spokesman, Christos Protopapas, said.

The New York Times

The shadow health secretary, Andy Burnham, said: "These figures show that hospitals all over England remain at their limits and are sailing dangerously close to the wind.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing constraints or limitations, use "at their limit" to clearly convey that the maximum capacity or capability has been reached. For instance, "The server's processing power was at its limit during peak hours."

Common error

Avoid using "at their limit" interchangeably with terms denoting finality, such as "absolute end" or "complete stop". While both indicate a cessation, "at their limit" implies that the maximum threshold has been achieved or reached, not necessarily a conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their limit" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the extent to which something has reached its maximum capacity or capability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is perfectly valid in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at their limit" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something has reached its maximum capacity or capability. As Ludwig AI validates, it functions as an adverbial phrase and carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for diverse contexts such as news, scientific writing, and business communications. The phrase is frequently used in contexts related to News & Media and Science and remember to avoid common mistakes and best practices described in this study.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at maximum capacity

States the condition of being at the highest capacity, directly mirroring the original phrase's structure.

reaching maximum capacity

Focuses on the idea of reaching the highest point of capacity rather than a more general boundary.

at the breaking point

Indicates a critical point beyond which something is likely to fail.

at full stretch

Emphasizes the idea of something being extended to its fullest extent.

stretched to capacity

Similar to "at full stretch", this highlights the extent to which resources are used.

pushed to the brink

Suggests a situation close to failure or collapse due to excessive strain.

reaching saturation point

Suggests a point where no more of something can be absorbed or tolerated.

at the end of their rope

Emphasizes a loss of hope or ability to cope with a difficult situation.

maxed out

Informal phrase meaning that a limit has been reached.

at peak performance

Indicates the highest level of achievement or efficiency, implying a boundary has been reached.

FAQs

How can I use "at their limit" in a sentence?

You can use "at their limit" to describe when something has reached its maximum capacity, capability, or threshold. For example: "The hospital resources were "at their limit" during the pandemic."

What are some alternatives to "at their limit"?

Alternatives include "reaching maximum capacity", "at maximum capacity", or "at full stretch" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "at it's limit" instead of "at their limit"?

No, "at it's limit" is grammatically incorrect. "Its" shows possession of something by "it", not a general limit. "Their" is used for plural possessive, thus "at their limit" is the right way to express when something plural have reached the maximum capacity.

What's the difference between "at their limit" and "pushed to the brink"?

"At their limit" indicates reaching maximum capacity, while "pushed to the brink" suggests nearing failure due to extreme stress. The first indicates a state of fullness, while the second suggests impending collapse.