Example: We need to push the envelope to win the game.
Definition
"To push the envelope" means to go beyond established limits or boundaries in order to achieve something new or better. It involves taking risks or challenging the usual rules, often to innovate or improve a situation, as in 'We need to push the envelope to win the game.'
Translations
ir más allá de los límites
grenzen verleggen
anar més enllà dels límits
repousser les limites
Grenzen verschieben
Etymology
The phrase "to push the envelope" originates from aeronautics, where an 'envelope' refers to the performance limits of an aircraft. Pilots would 'push the envelope' by testing or flying beyond these limits. Over time, it evolved into a metaphor for exceeding any set boundaries in various fields.
Learn to use this expression actively
"To push the envelope" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 106 commonly used expressions.
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