reached the cap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reached the cap" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a maximum limit or boundary, for example: "Sales this quarter have reached the cap set by the company".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

paid $1,500 a megawatt to various plants that were not running; some of those plants had bet on a shortage and delayed generation until the price of power reached the cap.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most people needing care will never reach the cap.

The Guardian

Five days is not the record for reaching the cap on business visas.

The Economist

The current law caps charter schools, which are privately run but publicly funded, at 200, and officials expect to reach the cap in a matter of months.

The New York Times

The household cap is not tapered by number of children in the family, so a family of five will be capped at the same rate as a single parent family, if their benefits and housing benefit reach the cap.

The Guardian

Under the new collective bargaining agreement signed Saturday, the cap is to plunge by about $10 million next season, but teams will be allowed two amnesty buyouts to help reach the cap.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, those who think Cameron capped care fees at £72,000 will be angry: very few will ever reach the cap, cheated by finding they pay far more than that in bed and board charges.

The Guardian - Opinion

Obamacare limits out-of-pocket spending, but a chronically ill man earning $23,000 will have to pay $5,200 in cash before reaching the cap, according to Avalere Health, a consultancy.

The Economist

People have to pay state and local taxes, and in high-tax states like New York, Massachusetts and California, that deduction alone would reach the cap and in many cases exceed it, depending on where it's set.

The New York Times

"What we know is, in particular for mums, a number of families are only working three days a week because three days of childcare is all they can afford before reaching the cap," Briskey said.

The Guardian

Before the reduction, households affected were predominantly clustered in London, due to higher housing costs: the move to a regional rate, as well as a reduction for all claimants who reach the cap means far more people will have their benefits cut.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reached the cap", ensure the context clearly defines what "the cap" refers to. Be specific about the limit or maximum being discussed for clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader understands the nature of the "cap". Always provide sufficient context or definition to prevent ambiguity and ensure clear communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached the cap" functions as a verb phrase indicating the attainment of a specified limit or maximum value. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reached the cap" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that signifies the attainment of a specified limit or maximum value. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts and is frequently found in news, media, and scientific publications. Alternative phrases include "hit the limit" and "attained the maximum". It's important to provide context to define the "cap" for clarity and to avoid ambiguity. Understanding these nuances helps ensure precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reached the maximum

A more explicit way of saying the highest possible amount has been attained.

hit the limit

Uses "hit" instead of "reached", implying a more sudden or forceful attainment of the limit.

attained the maximum

A more formal way to express that the highest possible value has been reached.

exceeded the limit

Indicates that the limit has been surpassed, rather than just reached.

maxed out

A colloquial term suggesting the capacity is full.

topped out

An informal way to say the maximum has been achieved.

fulfilled the quota

Refers specifically to meeting a required number or amount.

satisfied the threshold

Emphasizes meeting a necessary condition or level.

arrived at the summit

Metaphorically suggests reaching the highest point.

got to the peak

Similar to "arrived at the summit", indicating the highest point has been reached.

FAQs

How can I use "reached the cap" in a sentence?

You can use "reached the cap" to indicate that a limit or maximum has been attained. For example, "Our sales team "reached the cap" for this quarter".

What is a good alternative to "reached the cap"?

Alternatives include "hit the limit", "attained the maximum", or "exceeded the limit" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "reached the cap"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that a specific limit, quota, or maximum value has been achieved or attained.

What does "reached the cap" imply?

"Reached the cap" implies that a predefined upper limit has been met, and no further increase or addition is possible or allowed.