crossed the limits

USAGE SUMMARY

"crossed the limits" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to mean that someone or something has made an effort that goes beyond the conventional or accepted norms. For example, "Maddy has crossed the limits of greatness with her impressive musical performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Salman Taseer crossed the limits," he said.

The New York Times

We are deeply concerned that without serious debate, the United States has crossed the limits of acceptable practices in the treatment of prisoners at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and other sites.

The New York Times

As historian Joseph Delort wrote in 1824, "The reputation of her striking beauty soon crossed the limits of Touraine, and drew near it an infinity of magnificent lords".

Vice

"Islam does not stop women from acquiring education and by attacking Malala the Taliban have crossed the limits of Islam," the scholars noted, according to Dawn.

Huffington Post

Besides that, the calculated cancer risks of this study also crossed the limits recommended by US-EPA.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But this time, these men crossed the limit and raised their hands on us.

BBC

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

Some considerable positive radon anomalies have been observed crossing the limits of X + 2σ before and after the earthquake of 4.7 and 5.5 magnitude.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crossed the limits" when you want to emphasize that someone or something has gone beyond what is considered acceptable or normal.

Common error

Avoid using "crossed the limits" in contexts where exceeding expectations is viewed positively. Opt for phrases like "surpassed expectations" or "exceeded all forecasts" instead, as "crossed the limits" often carries a connotation of overstepping boundaries or acting inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crossed the limits" functions as a predicate, typically following a subject to describe an action that has exceeded acceptable or permissible boundaries. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples, illustrating how it is used to convey overstepping or violating established norms.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "crossed the limits" is used to indicate that someone or something has exceeded what is considered acceptable or permissible. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage typically carries a negative connotation, implying a transgression of boundaries. It's most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, with a neutral formality level. When writing, be mindful to use alternatives like "went too far" or "overstepped boundaries", based on specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went too far

Indicates exceeding acceptable behavior or actions.

overstepped boundaries

Focuses specifically on exceeding defined boundaries, often in a negative context.

exceeded the bounds

Similar to overstepping boundaries, but emphasizes exceeding defined limits.

transgressed the boundaries

A more formal way of saying overstepped boundaries, implying a violation.

pushed the envelope

Suggests testing or exceeding conventional boundaries or limits.

exceeded the parameters

Focuses on going beyond specified limits or parameters.

violated the constraints

Emphasizes breaking or disregarding imposed limitations.

broke the rules

Implies a violation of established regulations or guidelines.

surpassed expectations

Implies exceeding anticipated achievements rather than violating boundaries.

overreached

Suggests attempting too much, exceeding one's capabilities or authority.

FAQs

What does "crossed the limits" mean?

The phrase "crossed the limits" typically means to have exceeded what is considered acceptable or permissible. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that someone has gone too far.

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

You can use "crossed the limits" to describe actions that have gone beyond acceptable boundaries. For example, "His behavior at the party "crossed the limits" when he started arguing with the host."

What are some alternatives to saying someone "crossed the limits"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "went too far", "overstepped boundaries", or "exceeded the bounds".

Is "crossed the limits" always used in a negative way?

Yes, "crossed the limits" usually implies a negative action or behavior. It suggests that someone has gone beyond what is acceptable or ethical. If you want to express surpassing expectations in a positive way, use other options like "surpassed expectations".