has gone too far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has gone too far" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone or something has exceeded acceptable limits or boundaries in behavior or actions. Example: "The company's decision to cut employee benefits has gone too far, and many workers are now voicing their concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But this has gone too far.

The New York Times

"This has gone too far," he said.

The New York Times

But that trend has gone too far.

The New York Times

"The media has gone too far.

The New York Times

"Cricket has gone too far.

The Guardian - Sport

Physics has gone too far.

The Guardian

Now, perhaps, he has gone too far.

The Guardian

But it has gone too far.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He believes Januszczak has gone too far.

The Guardian - Arts

Now he has gone too far.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Khrushchev had gone too far.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "has gone too far" to express a strong opinion that a limit has been exceeded and something is no longer acceptable. Be clear about what specific action or situation you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "has gone too far" for trivial matters; reserve it for situations that genuinely represent a breach of acceptable boundaries. Overusing it dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has gone too far" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing that a limit has been surpassed. As indicated by Ludwig, the examples show diverse situations where this expression is used to voice disapproval or concern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has gone too far" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something has exceeded acceptable limits. As Ludwig AI confirms, its applications span various contexts, predominantly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the gravity of the situation to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "crossed the line" or "overstepped the mark" can offer nuanced variations in meaning, depending on the context. The key is to employ it judiciously, reserving it for scenarios where boundaries have genuinely been breached.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crossed the line

Implies a boundary has been violated, often in terms of behavior or ethics.

overstepped the mark

Suggests exceeding what is considered appropriate or acceptable.

taken it too far

Indicates an action or behavior has reached an unacceptable level.

reached its limit

Focuses on the idea that something has reached the maximum tolerable extent.

become excessive

Highlights the idea of something being more than necessary, acceptable, or reasonable.

become too much

Emphasizes the sense of something becoming overwhelming or unbearable.

pushed too hard

Suggests excessive pressure or effort that has become detrimental.

exceeded all bounds

Emphasizes the lack of limits or restraints, suggesting extreme excess.

carried it too far

Similar to "taken it too far", but with a slightly more active connotation.

gone overboard

Implies excessive enthusiasm or action, often to a point of being counterproductive.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has gone too far" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "crossed the line", "overstepped the mark", or "become excessive" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when someone says something "has gone too far"?

It signifies that something has exceeded acceptable limits or boundaries, indicating disapproval or concern about the degree or extent of a particular action or situation.

Is "has gone too far" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "has gone too far" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the situation than the audience.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "has gone too far"?

Use it when you believe that a boundary has been crossed or an action has become unacceptable. For example, "The company's cost-cutting measures "has gone too far", negatively impacting employee morale".