reaching for the impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reaching for the impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of striving for goals or aspirations that seem unattainable or highly challenging. Example: "Despite the odds, she has always believed in reaching for the impossible, inspiring others to pursue their dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Still, as Fury showed, reaching for the impossible is what boxing is all about.

The Guardian - Sport

Starting a social enterprise isn't a cure-all for the existing challenges that are already inherent in the work you do; and it can seem like you are reaching for the impossible in order to establish a sustainable organisation emerging out of the public sector.

The Guardian

It's reaching for the impossible.

BBC

Furlanetto will be reaching for the impossible dream in the company's final production, Massenet's "Don Quichotte," next month.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Americans have always reached for the impossible, looked to the next horizon and asked: What if? Two young bicycle mechanics from Dayton asked, what if this airplane could take off at Kitty Hawk?

The New York Times

He seems not to have noticed Weber's observation at the end of his long essay: "What is possible would never have been achieved if, in this world, people had not repeatedly reached for the impossible".

The New York Times - Books

Are you reaching for the stars, making agreement virtually impossible, or are you accurately assessing your odds of having an offer or demand accepted?

Harvard University

Susan's is only one of the many stories of women who have dared to defy convention in pursuit of equality and in doing so, inspired both men and women to reach for the seemingly impossible.

Huffington Post

He'd reach for that impossible G and they'd be at his throat, not so much for his politics as for singing flat.

The New Yorker

The green light at the end of Daisy's dock will forever be a symbol of the unattainable American Dream that had all of America reaching out for the impossible.

The Guardian

Do you think we'd still have several thousand nuclear missiles on hair-trigger alert, pointed at Russia (with Russia having about as many pointed at us)? Do you think -- as I begin reaching wildly for the impossible -- we'd start facing our fears instead of living in fear?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reaching for the impossible" when you want to emphasize the ambition and inspirational quality of pursuing a difficult goal, even if success is uncertain.

Common error

Avoid using "reaching for the impossible" to justify setting unrealistic goals that are demonstrably unattainable and could lead to wasted resources or demoralization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reaching for the impossible" functions primarily as a metaphorical expression to describe striving towards highly ambitious or seemingly unattainable goals. It suggests a determined effort to overcome significant challenges, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reaching for the impossible" serves as a powerful idiom for describing the pursuit of highly ambitious or seemingly unattainable goals. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suggests that it effectively communicates ambition and determination. While frequently found in news and media, it also appears in academic and scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When using the phrase, remember that while it celebrates ambition, it's also important to maintain realistic expectations. Alternatives like "aiming for the stars" or "striving for the unattainable" can offer similar nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempting the unachievable

Directly states the act of trying to achieve something deemed unachievable.

striving for the unattainable

Replaces "reaching" with "striving" and "impossible" with "unattainable", keeping a similar meaning.

aiming for the stars

Focuses on ambition and high goals but uses a different metaphor.

shooting for the moon

Similar to aiming high, but more focused on audaciousness.

dreaming the impossible dream

Emphasizes the visionary aspect of pursuing the seemingly impossible.

pursuing a pipe dream

Implies the goal is unrealistic or based on fantasy.

chasing rainbows

Suggests pursuing something illusory or deceptive.

grasping at straws

Describes a desperate attempt to achieve something difficult.

biting off more than you can chew

Highlights overestimation of one's abilities.

taking on a Sisyphean task

Highlights the endless and futile nature of the effort.

FAQs

How can I use "reaching for the impossible" in a sentence?

You can use "reaching for the impossible" to describe someone striving for ambitious goals. For example, "Despite the challenges, she is always "reaching for the impossible", inspiring others."

What does "reaching for the impossible" mean?

"Reaching for the impossible" means striving to achieve a goal that seems very difficult or unattainable. It often implies ambition, determination, and a willingness to take risks.

What are some alternatives to "reaching for the impossible"?

Some alternatives include "aiming for the stars", "striving for the unattainable", or "dreaming the impossible dream".

Is it always good to be "reaching for the impossible"?

While ambition is valuable, it's important to balance it with realism. "Reaching for the impossible" can be inspiring, but setting attainable goals is crucial for sustained progress and avoiding burnout.