at their limits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their limits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone is pushed to the maximum capacity or capability. Example: "The athletes were performing at their limits during the final race, showcasing their incredible endurance and skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 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

"When you race in the mountains and people are at their limits, you see what people are capable of," Wiggins said.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Business

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

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

"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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at their limits" to effectively convey that a resource, ability, or system is being utilized to its fullest extent, often implying a potential for strain or failure if pushed further. It adds a sense of urgency and criticality to the situation being described.

Common error

Avoid using "at their limits" when you simply mean something is performing well within its normal range. This phrase suggests a critical state where capabilities are fully stretched, and misunderstanding this nuance can misrepresent the true condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their limits" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify verbs or adjectives. It describes the state or condition of something being pushed to its maximum capacity or capability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at their limits" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys that something is operating at its maximum capacity, often implying a state of strain or potential failure. It's prevalent in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to use it accurately, ensuring that the context truly reflects a state of being stretched to the maximum, rather than simply performing within normal parameters. Alternatives like "at maximum capacity" or "stretched to the limit" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at maximum capacity

Focuses on the maximum amount that something can contain or produce, differing from abilities or resources.

at full stretch

Emphasizes the idea of being extended or strained to the furthest point.

stretched to the limit

Similar to "at full stretch", emphasizing the stress and strain involved.

pushed to the brink

Highlights the nearness to a critical or dangerous threshold.

at the breaking point

Indicates the point where something is about to fail due to excessive stress.

maxed out

A more informal way of saying that a limit has been reached, often related to resources.

operating at peak performance

Focuses on achieving the highest level of efficiency or effectiveness.

at the end of their rope

Describes a state of desperation when one has exhausted all options.

reaching their potential

Focuses on the process of developing abilities to their highest level.

at the zenith

Implies reaching the highest point or peak, often in terms of success or achievement.

FAQs

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

Use "at their limits" to indicate that something is operating at its maximum capacity or capability. For example: "The hospital staff were working "at their limits" during the pandemic."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "at their limits"?

You can use alternatives such as "at maximum capacity", "stretched to the limit", or "pushed to the brink" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "at their limits"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is functioning at its highest possible level and may be close to failure or exhaustion. For example: "Our resources are "at their limits" due to the increasing demand."

What is the difference between "at their limits" and "near their limits"?

"At their limits" implies that something has reached its maximum capacity, while "near their limits" suggests it is approaching that point but hasn't quite reached it yet. The first has already reached the boundary, while the second is still approaching the boundary.