Push the Envelope

#Push the Envelope

Welcome to English in a Minute!

An envelope is a flat paper container used to send a letter.

So, what could it possibly mean to… “PUSH THE ENVELOPE”?

There has got to be more to expression.

Did you see what Adam is wearing today?

Yeah… well… he has always liked bright colors.

That guy really likes to push the envelope.

I could not get away with wearing that to work.

You know, I like that he is pushing the envelope.

This place needs some more color!

To “push the envelope” means to go beyond the limits of what is usual.

It can also mean to be very creative.

This expression comes from airplane pilots.

The word “envelope” in this idiom is actually a mathematical term.

It means a set of limits that may not be safe for a plane to go beyond.

And that’s English in a Minute!