driven to extremes

USAGE SUMMARY

"driven to extremes" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's behavior or actions when they have reached a point of intense emotion or desperation. Example: The economic crisis has driven many families to extremes, with some resorting to stealing just to feed their children.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Driven to extremes by sustained violence, they received the same sentence as calculating, cold-blooded murderers".

The Guardian

The quest for power becomes a "life-and-death struggle" in which "the contestants are driven to extremes".

The New York Times - Books

Researchers are sometimes driven to extremes to get their paper into high-impact journals, and journals, in their turn, are fiercely keen to publicise their work.

The Guardian - Opinion

The stereotype that terrorists are driven to extremes by economic deprivation may never have held anywhere, least of all in the Middle East.

The New York Times

Leonard's Rita seems like a more courageous version of Ibsen's Hedda, perpetually driven to extremes: she alone is swathed from head to toe in black after Eyolf's death.

The Guardian

If there is a ground bass to Fiennes's work, a rhythm that beats beneath all three roles, it is loneliness driven to extremes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

In several accounts, the two families living in hiding were driven to extreme behaviors.

The New York Times

Musa, the translator in "Bengal Tiger," a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in drama last year, appealed to him as an earnest character driven to extreme behavior by horrifying circumstances.

The New York Times

She said the blade was in an engine that had been "driven to extreme tolerances" in ground and flight tests that went beyond its expected military use.

The New York Times

Ahmad Kiarostami, a friend of Namazi, said he worried that the hunger strike indicated Namazi had been driven to extreme measures by his detention.

The Guardian

Tom Hardy plays Max Rockatansky himself, the former interceptor lawman and petrolhead of the original movies, driven to extreme measures by the murder of his wife and child.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "driven to extremes" to describe situations where individuals or groups are compelled to take drastic actions due to overwhelming pressure or circumstances. Ensure the context clearly explains the cause of the extreme behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "driven to extremes" to describe ordinary or slightly unusual behavior. The phrase implies a high level of desperation or compulsion, so reserve it for situations of genuine extremity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven to extremes" functions as a descriptive phrase, often modifying a noun or pronoun. As Ludwig AI indicates, it typically describes a state of desperation or compulsion leading to drastic actions. Examples in Ludwig showcase it modifying individuals or groups under duress.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Books

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Opinion

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "driven to extremes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It describes a situation where individuals or groups are compelled to take drastic actions due to overwhelming circumstances. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it's crucial to reserve it for situations genuinely characterized by desperation or compulsion. Related phrases, such as "pushed to the limit" or "forced into drastic measures", offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. Its primary function is to convey the intensity of a situation and the severity of resulting behavior, frequently appearing in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pushed to the limit

This alternative emphasizes the idea of reaching a point where one can no longer cope, resulting in drastic action.

forced into drastic measures

This alternative highlights the lack of choice and the severity of the actions taken.

compelled to desperate acts

This alternative underscores the compelling nature of the situation leading to desperate behavior.

coerced into extreme behavior

This suggests external pressure or influence leading to extreme actions.

reduced to desperate straits

This emphasizes the state of desperation and the limited options available.

brought to the brink

This highlights the imminence of crossing a threshold into extreme action.

pushed beyond endurance

This suggests that someone has surpassed their capacity to withstand hardship.

left with no other option

This emphasizes the feeling of having exhausted all other possibilities, resulting in extreme action.

made to resort to extremes

This indicates that external factors are responsible for someone's extreme actions.

driven to the edge

A metaphoric expression indicating an unstable mental or emotional state that could lead to self-harm or destructive actions.

FAQs

How can I use "driven to extremes" in a sentence?

You can use "driven to extremes" to describe situations where people are forced to take drastic actions. For example: "The constant harassment "drove her to extremes", causing her to quit her job unexpectedly."

What are some alternatives to "driven to extremes"?

Some alternatives include "pushed to the limit", "forced into drastic measures", or "compelled to desperate acts". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "driven to extremes" formal or informal?

"Driven to extremes" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It can be used in news articles, academic papers, and casual conversations.

What does it mean to be "driven to extremes"?

To be "driven to extremes" means that someone has been pushed by circumstances, emotions, or external factors to take actions that are drastic, unusual, or beyond their normal behavior.