push the envelope — Envelope En vel*ope (?; 277), Envelop En*vel op (?; 277), n. [F. enveloppe.] 1. That which envelops, wraps up, encases, or surrounds; a wrapper; an inclosing cover; esp., the cover or wrapper of a document, as of a letter. [1913 Webster] 2.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
push the envelope — ► to go further than the usual limits by doing something new, dangerous, etc.: »We re really pushing the envelope on this technology; a lot of other companies are just playing catch up. Main Entry: ↑envelope … Financial and business terms
push the envelope — This means to go to the limits, to do something to the maximum possible … The small dictionary of idiomes
push the envelope — This means to go to the limits, to do something to the maximum possible. (Dorking School Dictionary) *** When you push the envelope, you do something in an extreme way or exceed the limits of what is considered acceptable. Some TV… … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
push the envelope — challenge yourself, innovate, take risks, think outside the box If we are going to lead this industry, we need to push the envelope … English idioms
push the envelope — push (the edge of) the envelope to move beyond the limit of what has usually been done or was the accepted standard. TV shows are really pushing the envelope by showing so much sex and violence … New idioms dictionary
push the envelope — ► push the (edge of the) envelope informal approach or extend the limits of what is possible. [ORIGIN: originally aviation slang, relating to graphs of aerodynamic performance.] Main Entry: ↑envelope … English terms dictionary
push the envelope — Meaning Go to the limits of known performance. Origin Originated with aeroplane industry where the limits of a plane s performance were marked on a two dimensional graph. The envelope is the area of the graph that indicates safe usage. In use… … Meaning and origin of phrases
push the envelope — vb American to test or extend limits, go too far. The term, used in fiction by Tom Wolfe and John Grisham, derives from the jargon of test pilots: the envelope is the ulti mate technical capability as expressed on a graph … Contemporary slang
push the envelope (to) — Always trying to do better (aeronautical engineering). ► “Crystal is always pushing the envelope. When he gave her the go ahead, the child . . . would race down the base path and score.” (Wall Street Journal, April 24, 1996, p. B1) … American business jargon
