limit

lim|it1 [ `lımıt ] noun count ***

1. ) the largest or smallest amount or the highest or lowest level of something that is allowed:

speed/spending limits

limit on: There are strict limits on presidential power.

limit to: There has to be a fair limit to the level of migration from other countries.

legal limit: He had consumed more than three times the legal limit of alcohol when he drove home.

time limit: The prescribed time limit must be strictly complied with.

set/impose a limit: Their inflation rate was above the 3% limit set by the Maastricht Treaty.

2. ) the greatest amount or level of something that is possible:

limit to: Obviously there is a limit to the amount we can get done in two weeks.

limit of: The competition tested the limits of her ability.

beyond the limit: This area of the ocean has been fished beyond sustainable limits.

stretch/push/drive someone/something to the limit: The children were stretching my patience to the limit.

3. ) the outer edge of an area:

This line of islands formed the outer limit of the empire.

city limits: No bombs landed within the city limits.

be the limit SPOKEN

to be very annoying or upsetting:

Honestly, that man is the absolute limit!

know your limits

have a clear idea of what you are capable of or how good you are

off limits

1. ) if a place is off limits, you are not allowed to go there:

The evacuated areas remained off limits to the public.

2. ) not allowed or approved of:

Certain controversial subjects remained off limits.

within limits

as long as a situation stays within what is considered reasonable:

We'll take care of all your expenses within limits, of course.

limit

lim|it 2 [ `lımıt ] verb transitive ***

1. ) to prevent a number, amount, or effect from increasing past a particular point:

The hospital limits the number of visitors a patient can have.

The residents' main demand is to limit the amount of heavy traffic using the street.

The regulations are designed to limit environmental damage.

limit something to something: The school board has pledged to limit classes to a maximum of twenty-five students.

2. ) to reduce or control someone's freedom to do what they want or someone's ability to be effective: RESTRICT:

Lack of adequate testing limits the effectiveness of the research.

limit someone to something: The regulations limit each committee to recommendations rather than allowing it to take action.

limit yourself: Most people limit themselves to a few techniques that work best for them.

be limited by something: They were limited by the amount of money they could spend on the production.

3. ) usually passive if something is limited to a particular place or group, it happens only in that place or within that group:

be limited to: NATO officials said that the air strikes were limited to military targets.

The right to vote was limited to heads of households and married women.