threshold to cross

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "threshold to cross" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a point or limit that one must pass in order to achieve a goal or transition to a new state. Example: "The team has reached a threshold to cross in their project, and now they must decide how to proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"The idea of spending $1 million on anything was a difficult threshold to cross," Ms. Van Metre said.

The New York Times

"Getting people into the space is the first threshold to cross.

The New York Times

But from a management perspective, the American market is not an easy threshold to cross".

The New York Times

From this self-destructively objective vantage point, there can be no "us" or "them", no threshold to cross, no home to flee to when all's done.

The Guardian - Books

"Somewhere between Year 1 and Year 3 of online life, many take the plunge and make a purchase, which is a big threshold to cross," Mr. Rainie said.

The New York Times

"For those who believe what we provide is a public good, not a private one, this is a sad threshold to cross".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He is holding open the door to 300 saves — a threshold he hopes to cross himself one day — so Rodriguez can go through first.

The New York Times - Sports

On October 3, 2011, the White House increased the threshold of signatures needed to cross the threshold from 5,000 to 25,000, effective November 2. No data were released on November 2 but as of October 26 , 2011 77 had crossed the threshold out of 12,513 created.

Huffington Post

This was the threshold he had to cross.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is "no question people have a misconception that there's a threshold you have to cross" before a sale is taxable, she said.

The New York Times

"There is a threshold you have to cross to use peer-to-peer anything," he admits.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "threshold to cross" when describing a significant barrier or challenge that needs to be overcome to achieve a specific goal or reach a new stage. Ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the barrier and the desired outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "threshold to cross" for minor inconveniences or easily surmountable challenges. This phrase is best reserved for situations where significant effort, resources, or strategic action is required to overcome the obstacle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "threshold to cross" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb, describing a challenge or barrier that must be overcome. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts to denote a significant obstacle.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "threshold to cross" effectively conveys the idea of overcoming a significant barrier or challenge, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While not extremely common, it provides a strong and clear way to emphasize the need for effort and strategic action to achieve a goal. Related phrases like "hurdle to clear" and "obstacle to overcome" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurdle to clear

Highlights the need to overcome a specific obstacle.

obstacle to overcome

Focuses on the difficulty and need to overcome a challenge.

turning point to pass

Emphasizes a moment of significant change.

barrier to entry

Specifically refers to obstacles hindering entry into a market or field.

stage to pass

Highlights moving through a phase or step.

milestone to achieve

Emphasizes reaching a significant point in progress.

level to attain

Suggests reaching a specific stage or degree.

benchmark to reach

Indicates a standard that must be attained.

gateway to traverse

Implies moving through an entry point or transition.

critical juncture to navigate

Focuses on the importance of careful maneuvering at a key point.

FAQs

How can I use "threshold to cross" in a sentence?

You can use "threshold to cross" to describe a critical point or a significant challenge that needs to be overcome. For example, "Raising enough capital was a significant threshold to cross for the startup."

What are some alternatives to "threshold to cross"?

Alternatives include "hurdle to clear", "obstacle to overcome", or "barrier to entry" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "threshold to cross" in formal writing?

Yes, "threshold to cross" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing challenges or significant milestones in business, science, or academic contexts. However, consider the audience and choose the most precise term for the situation.

What makes "threshold to cross" different from "milestone to achieve"?

"Threshold to cross" emphasizes the difficulty of overcoming a barrier, while "milestone to achieve" focuses on the successful completion of a stage or reaching a significant point. The former highlights the challenge, while the latter highlights the accomplishment.