1lim·it 
/ˈlɪmət/ noun
plural lim·its /ˈlɪmət/ noun [count] 1 : a point beyond which it is not possible to go
▪ He has reached the limit of his endurance. ▪ In training, she pushed her body to its physical limits. ▪ He tries to be creative within the limits of conventional journalism. ▪ Space travel tests the (outer) limits of human capabilities. ▪ It's important to exercise, but you need to know your limits. [=you need to know how much you are able to do] ▪ I'm trying to be patient with him, but I've just about reached my limit. [=reached the point where I can no longer be patient] ▪ There are limits to what I can put up with from him! ▪ There's no limit to what we can accomplish [=we can accomplish anything] if we work hard enough. ▪ There seems to be no limit to his enthusiasm. = His enthusiasm seems to know no limit(s). 2 : a point beyond which someone is not allowed to go
▪ Parents need to set limits for their children. = Parents need to set/place/impose limits on (the behavior of) their children. ▪ They must not go beyond these limits. = They must not exceed these limits. 3 : an amount or number that is the highest or lowest allowed
▪ Two drinks is my limit. [=I stop after having two drinks] ▪ When you take the test, you'll have a time limit. [=you will have to complete the test within a certain amount of time] ▪ The lower age limit for voting is 18. [=you cannot vote unless you are at least 18 years old] — see also off-limits, speed limit 4 : an area or line that is at the outer edge of something — usually plural ▪ There are three high schools within the city limits. [=within the city] ▪ They ventured far beyond the limits of civilization. ▪ at the outer limits of the solar system
▪ He has reached the limit of his endurance. ▪ In training, she pushed her body to its physical limits. ▪ He tries to be creative within the limits of conventional journalism. ▪ Space travel tests the (outer) limits of human capabilities. ▪ It's important to exercise, but you need to know your limits. [=you need to know how much you are able to do] ▪ I'm trying to be patient with him, but I've just about reached my limit. [=reached the point where I can no longer be patient] ▪ There are limits to what I can put up with from him! ▪ There's no limit to what we can accomplish [=we can accomplish anything] if we work hard enough. ▪ There seems to be no limit to his enthusiasm. = His enthusiasm seems to know no limit(s).
▪ Parents need to set limits for their children. = Parents need to set/place/impose limits on (the behavior of) their children. ▪ They must not go beyond these limits. = They must not exceed these limits.
▪ Two drinks is my limit. [=I stop after having two drinks] ▪ When you take the test, you'll have a time limit. [=you will have to complete the test within a certain amount of time] ▪ The lower age limit for voting is 18. [=you cannot vote unless you are at least 18 years old] — see also off-limits, speed limit
over the limit
Brit : having more alcohol in the blood than is legally allowed for someone who is driving
▪ He was arrested for driving over the limit.
▪ He was arrested for driving over the limit.
the limit
informal + old-fashioned : a very annoying or upsetting person or thing
▪ He keeps forgetting his wife's birthday: he really is the limit! [=too much] ▪ He forgot his wife's birthday again. Isn't that the limit!
▪ He keeps forgetting his wife's birthday: he really is the limit! [=too much] ▪ He forgot his wife's birthday again. Isn't that the limit!
the sky's the limit
— used to say that there are no limits and that anything is possible ▪ You can achieve anything if you really want to. The sky's the limit.
to the limit
: to the greatest possible point : as much as possible
▪ Our resources have been stretched to the limit. [=we have used all of our resources] ▪ My schedule is filled to the limit. [=my schedule is completely filled]
▪ Our resources have been stretched to the limit. [=we have used all of our resources] ▪ My schedule is filled to the limit. [=my schedule is completely filled]
within limits
: without going beyond what is considered reasonable or allowable
▪ They told us that we could do whatever we liked, within (certain) limits.
▪ They told us that we could do whatever we liked, within (certain) limits.
without limit
: without being controlled or stopped : without being limited
▪ allowing costs to increase without limit
▪ allowing costs to increase without limit
