is maxed out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is maxed out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where a limit has been reached, such as in finances, capacity, or performance. Example: "My credit card is maxed out, so I can't make any more purchases until I pay it off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"My business is maxed out," he said.

The New York Times

The entire system is "maxed out," say the experts.

The New York Times - Magazine

"There is no way this team is maxed out".

The New York Times - Sports

"But the rate at which they can do so is maxed out".

The Economist

All the gimmicks have been used up, and our credit card is maxed out".

The New York Times

The infrastructure is maxed out," with few hotels at international business standards.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Watching Downton Abbey – Fellowes is maxing out!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

McVay is maxing out all of the Rams' many threats.

Los Angeles Times

"My card was maxed out," she says.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The bank says we're maxed out," Mr. Long complained.

The New York Times

When people are maxed out, their history comes alive.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is maxed out" to clearly indicate that a limit has been reached, whether it's a physical capacity, a financial limit, or a metaphorical boundary. Ensure the context makes the type of limit clear to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "is maxed out" when a situation is merely strained but not truly at its absolute limit. Reserve this phrase for scenarios where no further increase or addition is possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is maxed out" functions as an adjective phrase describing a noun's state. Ludwig indicates its use to express that something has reached its limit or maximum capacity, as confirmed by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is maxed out" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a limit has been reached. Ludwig's analysis and real-world examples show its versatile usage across various contexts, from describing financial limits to physical capacity. According to Ludwig, it’s mostly found in News & Media, Academia and Science. While interchangeable with alternatives like "is at capacity" or "is at its limit", it's crucial to ensure that the context accurately reflects a state of absolute limitation, avoiding overuse in situations that are merely strained. Overall, "is maxed out" is a reliable and widely understood phrase in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is at capacity

Emphasizes the state of being full or unable to accommodate more.

is at its limit

Highlights the boundary or threshold that cannot be exceeded.

has reached its peak

Focuses on achieving the highest point or level of performance.

is completely full

States the condition of being entirely occupied with no space for more.

is stretched to the limit

Suggests a state of being strained or extended as far as possible.

is tapped out

Implies exhaustion of resources or energy.

is all used up

Indicates that nothing remains or is available.

has reached saturation

Denotes the point where no more can be absorbed or added.

is exhausted

Describes a state of depletion or being completely used.

is over capacity

Implies exceeding the designated or safe limit.

FAQs

What does "is maxed out" mean?

The phrase "is maxed out" means that a limit has been reached and no further increase is possible. This can apply to physical space, financial limits, or abstract concepts like time or energy.

How can I use "is maxed out" in a sentence?

You can use "is maxed out" to describe situations where capacity has been reached, such as "My credit card "is maxed out"" or "The venue "is at capacity"."

What are some alternatives to "is maxed out"?

Some alternatives to "is maxed out" include "is at its limit", "is completely full", or "is tapped out", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is maxed out"?

It's appropriate to use "is maxed out" when you want to clearly communicate that something has reached its absolute maximum capacity or limit and can't accommodate any more.