reached the summit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reached the summit" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It often refers to successfully reaching the top of a mountain or hill, but it can also be used metaphorically to describe achieving a goal or reaching a pinnacle of success. Example: After months of training and determination, we finally reached the summit of Mount Everest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He reached the summit.

Independent

Finally, he reached the summit.

The New York Times

Azar reached the summit on Saturday night.

The Guardian

Jing Lin had reached the summit.

The New York Times

After four hours, I reached the summit.

The New Yorker

After a strenuous hike, I reached the summit before noon.

University of California, Berkeley

As quickly as they reached the summit, they tumbled.

The New York Times

They reached the summit of Everest at 11 30 am.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This year, 520 climbers have reached the summit of Everest.

The Guardian

Alyssa Azar, 19, reached the summit on Saturday.

The Guardian

Minutes before they reached the summit, Bull, his son and another man reached the summit with eight Sherpa guides.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing achievements beyond literal mountain climbing, use "reached the summit" to signify attaining the highest level of success in a particular field. For example, "She reached the summit of her career when she became CEO."

Common error

Avoid using "reached the summit" in contexts where it doesn't make sense either literally or figuratively. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound cliché or unnatural. Instead, opt for more specific and appropriate verbs depending on what you are actually describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached the summit" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the completion of an action. This action can be literal, referring to the physical act of climbing a mountain, or figurative, symbolizing the achievement of a goal or the attainment of a high position. Ludwig provides examples of both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reached the summit" is a versatile expression used to describe the successful attainment of a goal, whether literally or figuratively. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While synonyms like "attained the peak" or "summited" exist, "reached the summit" maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use the phrase judiciously, ensuring it aligns with the intended meaning and avoids overuse in non-figurative contexts. Ludwig's AI underscores the phrase's widespread use and acceptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attained the peak

Replaces "reached" with "attained", suggesting a more deliberate and effortful achievement.

arrived at the summit

Focuses on the arrival aspect, similar to "reached", but can be slightly more formal.

summited

A concise, direct verb form indicating the act of reaching the summit, primarily used in mountaineering contexts.

made it to the top

A simple, common phrase expressing successful arrival at the top.

topped out

An informal phrase, often used in climbing, to indicate reaching the top of a climb or route.

gained the summit

Highlights the effort and process of acquiring or achieving the summit.

ascended to the top

Emphasizes the act of climbing or moving upwards to reach the highest point.

completed the ascent

Focuses on the completion of the upward journey, highlighting the overall effort.

conquered the peak

Implies overcoming challenges and achieving victory in reaching the summit.

scaled the heights

Emphasizes the act of climbing and the impressive nature of the height reached.

FAQs

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

You can use "reached the summit" to describe someone successfully arriving at the top of a mountain, like in "The team finally reached the summit after a grueling climb". It can also be used metaphorically to describe achieving a high level of success, as in "She reached the summit of her profession after years of hard work".

What is a more formal way to say "reached the summit"?

A more formal alternative to "reached the summit" could be "attained the peak", which suggests a deliberate and effortful achievement.

Is it appropriate to use "reached the summit" in a business context?

Yes, it's appropriate to use "reached the summit" metaphorically in a business context to describe achieving a significant milestone or the highest level of success. For example, "The company reached the summit of its market share last quarter".

What are some synonyms for "reached the summit"?

Some synonyms for "reached the summit" include "summited", "topped out", "ascended to the top", or "conquered the peak", each carrying slightly different connotations.