General
push the envelope
What does push the envelope mean?
To go beyond conventional boundaries or test the limits of what's possible.
"This campaign really pushes the envelope on creativity."
Origin
Aviation test-pilot slang popularised by Tom Wolfe's 'The Right Stuff'.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'push the envelope' mean?
To go beyond the usual limits or test the boundaries of what's possible, whether in performance, creativity, or ambition.
Where does 'push the envelope' come from?
From aviation, where the 'flight envelope' is the range of speeds and conditions an aircraft can safely handle. Test pilots pushed that envelope, and the phrase was popularised by Tom Wolfe's 1979 book 'The Right Stuff'.
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