improve on perfection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improve on perfection" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an idea of attempting to make something already perfect even better. For example: "The chef was determined to improve on perfection, and crafted the most delicious cake I've ever tasted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The question was how BMW could improve on perfection, but at least on paper it succeeded.

The New York Times

The feeling that some of the re-recordings are otiose - given that you can't improve on perfection, it's hard to see the point of a new version of Good Vibrations - is undermined by the fact that if Wilson had simply wanted to complete the original 1960s recordings, he would presumably have had to negotiate with Mike Love, the vocalist who now owns the Beach Boys' name.

The Guardian - Music

The singer-actress, 63, told the crowd at Feinstein's/54 Below that she'd never performed the song "not because it was too hard for me emotionally, but because I always felt you can't improve on perfection".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But this week, Martha Rose Shulman has improved on perfection, offering a delicious array of lasagna recipes made with various roasted vegetables.

The New York Times

And, in a system that has sanctified his decrees and derives its legitimacy from him, how can anyone improve on ideological perfection?

The Guardian

(RD) Marvin Gaye What's Going On (Motown Deluxe, 2 CDs) ***** £16.99 While no amount of additional material could improve on the perfection of Marvin Gaye's 30-year-old masterpiece of conscious soul music, this expanded two-CD edition encourages a re-examination of his pioneering work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nothing could improve on the opaque perfection of that sentence.

The Guardian

Lenses have arrived at a level of sophistication and perfection that is hard to improve on, especially at small scale.

TechCrunch

But then, perfection is a tough thing to improve on.

The Guardian - Music

Honey represented this divine truth because it did not deteriorate or cede its perfection to nature, because humans could not improve on it, and – until "reed honey", aka sugar, came along – it had no substitute.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It teaches that the path to moral and intellectual perfection is through successive reincarnations, each improving on the one before.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "improve on perfection" sparingly and deliberately. It's most effective when emphasizing a commitment to excellence, even when something is already outstanding.

Common error

Avoid using "improve on perfection" when a significant overhaul or change is needed. The phrase suggests subtle enhancements, not complete transformations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improve on perfection" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action aimed at enhancing something already considered flawless. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to describe efforts to refine existing achievements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "improve on perfection" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys the idea of attempting to enhance something already considered flawless. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where the concept of striving for excellence is often discussed. Although the nature of the sources confirm that the phrase is correct, keep in mind that its use should be deliberate, emphasizing a commitment to continuous improvement rather than suggesting that fundamental changes are needed. Alternatives such as "refine perfection" or "surpass perfection" can offer nuanced variations of this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refine perfection

Focuses on making subtle improvements to something already perfect, emphasizing precision.

enhance the flawless

Highlights the act of improving something without any faults, emphasizing the initial state of flawlessness.

augment perfection

Suggests adding to or increasing the quality of something already perfect, emphasizing amplification.

surpass perfection

Implies exceeding the current state of perfection, aiming for something even better.

build upon perfection

Suggests using perfection as a foundation for further development and enhancement, emphasizing continuity.

elevate the perfect

Focuses on raising something already perfect to an even higher level, emphasizing ascension.

take perfection further

Implies pushing the boundaries of perfection, exploring new possibilities beyond the current state.

advance the flawless

Suggests moving perfection forward, progressing beyond its current state.

go beyond perfection

Focuses on exceeding the limits of what is currently considered perfect, exploring uncharted territory.

transcend perfection

Implies rising above the constraints of perfection, achieving a state beyond its limitations.

FAQs

How can I use "improve on perfection" in a sentence?

You can use "improve on perfection" to describe efforts to make something already excellent even better. For example, "The artist sought to improve on perfection with subtle brushstrokes."

What does "improve on perfection" really mean?

The phrase suggests an attempt to enhance something that is already considered flawless, highlighting a dedication to continuous improvement.

Is it possible to actually "improve on perfection"?

Whether it's truly possible is debatable, as perfection is often seen as the ultimate state. However, the phrase emphasizes the pursuit of excellence and the belief that there's always room for refinement.

What are some phrases similar to "improve on perfection"?

Alternatives include "refine perfection", "enhance the flawless", or "surpass perfection", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.