transgressed the limits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "transgressed the limits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has gone beyond established boundaries or rules. Example: "The athlete transgressed the limits of fair play during the competition, leading to disqualification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Ms. Sánchez, taking a jab at Ms. Díaz's ties to the government, called her the "official Cuban blogger" and wrote that "Elaine Díaz has transgressed the limits of criticism permissible" for an employee of the state.

The New York Times

Elaine Diaz has transgressed the limits of criticism permissible to anyone working in the official media or in an academic center in Cuba.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The allegations were that "some scholars of arts at Paris" (nonnulli Parisius studentes in artibus) had been transgressing the limits of their own faculty (proprie facultatis limites excedentes).

SEP

In this respect, the oft-quoted statement from Tempier's introductory letter that members of the arts faculty were transgressing the limits of their own faculty (propriae facultatis limites excedentes) could acquire new meaning.

SEP

And yet for Leibowitz, even this would transgress the limits to which the notion of radical transcendence binds us.

SEP

Or, if it be alleged that these may transgress the limits of possible life and propagation, we might, at least, have nations of human beings without nails upon their fingers, with more or fewer fingers and toes than ten, some with one eye, others with one ear, with one nostril, or without the sense of smelling at all.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

When scientists act as experts, Nowotny [24] argues, they need to answer to questions they did not chose and therefore transgress the limits of their competence, by addressing issues that cannot be reduced to the purely scientific or technical, and by addressing a mixed audience, not only composed of fellow-experts.

European Journal of Futures Research

It is through the reaction of this collective body that we experience the hope of victory, the dread of defeat and finally the realization of a divine law that those tempted to transgress the limits of what is humanly permissible will be punished.

Los Angeles Times

But we must make sure that they do not transgress the limits set by Allah in the Quran.

WikiHow

Transgressing the boundary between artefacts and living organisms and the prospects of 'creating life' are often considered prone to conflict.

Futures

(Greer had bought a ticket and transgressed the journalistic embargo).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "transgressed the limits" when you want to convey a sense of formal violation or overstepping of established boundaries, especially in ethical, legal, or moral contexts. Ensure the context clearly defines what limits are being transgressed.

Common error

Avoid using "transgressed the limits" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "crossed the line" or "went too far" are more appropriate for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "transgressed the limits" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action that violates or exceeds established boundaries. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its presence in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "transgressed the limits" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of exceeding established boundaries or rules. While relatively rare, it appears in news, scientific, and general media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Consider using alternative phrases like "exceeded the boundaries" or "crossed the line" for more informal settings. Be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase's formality aligns with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded the boundaries

Replaces "transgressed" with a more common synonym, focusing on the act of going beyond defined limits.

crossed the line

Emphasizes the violation of an ethical or moral boundary.

overstepped the mark

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate that someone has gone too far or acted inappropriately.

violated the constraints

Highlights the breach of specific restrictions or limitations.

defied the norms

Stresses the act of challenging or resisting conventional standards or expectations.

infringed upon the restrictions

Focuses on the violation of established constraints.

broke the rules

Focuses on the infringement of established regulations or guidelines.

encroached upon the boundaries

Highlights the act of gradually intruding on or exceeding defined limits.

went beyond the pale

Uses an archaic expression to denote behavior that is unacceptable or outrageous.

pushed the envelope

Indicates an attempt to extend or challenge existing boundaries, often in a creative or innovative way.

FAQs

What does "transgressed the limits" mean?

The phrase "transgressed the limits" means to have gone beyond or violated established boundaries, rules, or ethical standards.

How can I use "transgressed the limits" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The athlete "exceeded the boundaries" of fair play and "transgressed the limits" of acceptable behavior."

What's a less formal way to say "transgressed the limits"?

Alternatives include "crossed the line", "went too far", or "overstepped the mark", which are more suitable for informal contexts.

Is "transgressed the limits" the same as "pushed the envelope"?

While both phrases involve exceeding boundaries, "transgressed the limits" implies a violation or wrongdoing, while "pushed the envelope" suggests innovation or experimentation by stretching the boundaries.