cross the limits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cross the limits" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to exceed or go beyond established boundaries or restrictions. Example: The company warned its employees not to cross the limits when it came to budgeting for their projects.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

For some who cross the limits, punishment can be harsh.

The New York Times - Arts

A student told her: "We are good Muslims, so when on campus boys cross the limits, we have to check them.

The New York Times - Books

The company's app was also able to stop 62percentt of attempts by users to cross the limits they'd set for themselves.

TechCrunch

"Freedom of expression should end at and not cross the limits of offending others over their colour, race or religion," he adds.

BBC

In a response typifying the attitude of the authorities, the inspector general of police, Shahidul Hoque, called on bloggers not to "cross the limits" or offend people's religious sentiments.

Vice

Therefore, they had undergone much less proliferation doublings than required to cross the limits to proliferation that were described for human cells that are mortal in vitro, like fibroblasts [39], CD8+ T cells [10], or EBV-transformed B cells [16].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I go to the limit but not cross the limit, no?" There was no point.

The Guardian - Sport

Subscribers would cross the limit, have their service cancelled, and be provided no recourse.

The Economist

Individuals that cannot complete the entire natural stage of life are greater in number than those that cross the limit, and many are those that stay below the height they could attain.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

"None should cross the limit".

Huffington Post

However, as the calculated dose and cancer risks were found to cross the limit of safety, finding a realistic way to moderate the risk is imperative.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cross the limits", ensure the context clearly defines what limits are being referred to, as the phrase is general and relies on shared understanding for specific meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "cross the limits" without specifying the limits in question. Ambiguity can lead to misinterpretation and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cross the limits" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of exceeding or surpassing established boundaries or restrictions. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts relating to acceptable behavior and quantifiable boundaries.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cross the limits" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express exceeding established boundaries or restrictions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides contextual examples. It is most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, indicating a neutral register. While not extremely common, the phrase is readily understood and useful for conveying that a boundary has been overstepped. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes the limits being referred to clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceed the boundaries

Emphasizes surpassing established boundaries or borders.

overstep the bounds

Suggests exceeding the limits of acceptable behavior or actions.

violate the restrictions

Focuses on breaking or disregarding established rules or restrictions.

transgress the rules

Highlights the act of breaking or going against established rules.

go beyond the pale

Indicates behavior that is considered unacceptable or offensive.

push the envelope

Suggests testing the boundaries of what is acceptable or possible.

break the mold

Implies deviating from established norms or conventions.

defy convention

Focuses on challenging or rejecting established norms or traditions.

challenge boundaries

Suggests questioning or pushing against existing limitations.

stretch the boundaries

Highlights expanding or extending the existing limits.

FAQs

What does "cross the limits" mean?

The phrase "cross the limits" means to exceed or go beyond established boundaries, restrictions, or acceptable behaviors. It implies that someone or something has gone too far.

How can I use "cross the limits" in a sentence?

You can use "cross the limits" to describe actions that exceed what is considered acceptable or permissible, such as: "The company warned its employees not to "cross the limits" when it came to budgeting for their projects."

What can I say instead of "cross the limits"?

You can use alternatives like "exceed the boundaries", "overstep the bounds", or "violate the restrictions" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to "cross the limits"?

While often used in a negative context to describe unacceptable behavior, "cross the limits" can also be used neutrally to describe exceeding a quantifiable boundary or pushing innovation.