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to push the envelope
01
to go beyond established limits or norms, often in a creative or daring way
Idiom
What is the origin of the idiom "push the envelope" and when to use it?
The idiom "push the envelope" originated in aviation, where it referred to testing the limits of an aircraft's performance. Test pilots pushed against these limits in daring maneuvers. Over time, the phrase expanded beyond aviation, symbolizing pushing boundaries or taking risks in different areas like technology and art. It's now widely used as a metaphor for innovation and pushing the limits of what's known or accepted.
Examples
The designer pushed the envelope with a bold new layout.
