overtake the maximum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overtake the maximum" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could be used in contexts related to exceeding limits or thresholds, such as in discussions about performance metrics or capacity. Example: "The new engine design allows us to overtake the maximum speed previously recorded."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

She got the maximum.

The New Yorker

That's the maximum.

Forbes

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Vice

Determine the maximum payload.

WikiHow

3 is the maximum.

WikiHow

The maximum is thirty.

WikiHow

But they could not overtake the Giants.

The New York Times - Sports

Will it overtake the humble photograph?

Independent

Will China overtake the US?

The Guardian - Books

The latter were eventually projected to overtake the former.

The Economist

At times, the meaning seems to overtake the movement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overtake the maximum", ensure the context clearly indicates that something is exceeding a previously established limit or threshold. Consider whether a more common alternative like "exceed the maximum" might be clearer.

Common error

Avoid using "overtake the maximum" when simply reaching a maximum value. "Reaching the maximum" or "achieving the maximum" are more appropriate when a limit is attained rather than surpassed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overtake the maximum" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of exceeding or surpassing a previously established limit. As Ludwig AI pointed out, its usage is infrequent, which suggests careful consideration is needed when employing this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overtake the maximum" suggests surpassing a previously established upper limit. While grammatically acceptable, it's less common than alternatives like "exceed the maximum" or "surpass the maximum". Ludwig AI confirms its infrequent usage, suggesting that careful consideration should be given to its appropriateness in different contexts. The phrase appears in news, wiki and scientific articles. When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates exceeding a limit, and consider whether a more common alternative may be clearer. The choice depends greatly on the specific context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceed the maximum

Replaces "overtake" with "exceed", focusing on surpassing a limit.

surpass the maximum

Uses "surpass" instead of "overtake", emphasizing exceeding a certain level.

go beyond the maximum

Emphasizes the action of exceeding a limit or boundary.

exceed the upper limit

Replaces "maximum" with "upper limit", highlighting the boundary being surpassed.

outstrip the maximum

Uses "outstrip" which means to exceed or surpass, typically in performance.

better the maximum

Replaces "overtake" with "better", suggesting an improvement over a previous maximum.

top the maximum

Uses "top" to indicate exceeding the highest point or limit.

rise above the maximum

Emphasizes overcoming or exceeding a maximum level.

transcend the maximum

Indicates going beyond the maximum in a more abstract or qualitative sense.

beat the maximum

Uses "beat" to mean exceeding a record or established maximum.

FAQs

What does "overtake the maximum" mean?

The phrase "overtake the maximum" suggests exceeding a previously established upper limit or threshold. It implies going beyond what was previously considered the highest achievable value or level.

What can I say instead of "overtake the maximum"?

You can use alternatives like "exceed the maximum", "surpass the maximum", or "go beyond the maximum" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "overtake the maximum"?

While not inherently incorrect, "overtake the maximum" is less common than alternatives like "exceed the maximum". Its appropriateness depends on the context; it's best used when emphasizing that something has surpassed a previously existing maximum value.

How can I use "overtake the maximum" in a sentence?

For instance, you might say, "The new engine design allows the car to "exceed the maximum" speed previously recorded" or "With the latest update, our sales figures "surpass the maximum" we projected".