idiom
Push the envelope
PUSH thuh EN-vuh-lohp
/pʊʃ ðə ˈɛnvəloʊp/Listen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
pushtheenvelope
Dictionary meaning
To exceed conventional limits; to test the boundaries of what is possible. Originally an aviation term referring to flying at the edges of an aircraft's performance parameters.
Pronunciation tips
Note: 'envelope' here refers to the mathematical performance envelope, not a paper envelope — some speakers mispronounce it to rhyme with 'elope'.
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