Push the Envelope
To push the envelope has nothing to do with cards and letters or their containers. It refers more to math and airplanes.
To push the envelope means to go beyond the usual limits.
People try to do more than has been done before. They test boundaries.
- Youth test their parents’ rules.
- Technology companies go beyond past performance.
- Sports players set new records.
They attempt what many people would never try. In their minds, nothing ventured, nothing gained. By going to extremes, they often discover new possibilities. However, they also risk ending up in hot water.
Details on math or airplane envelopes can be found at The Phrase Finder.
In simple terms, an airplane’s envelope refers to limits where the plane can safely fly. When pilots push the envelope, they test their plane’s limits. They fly faster or higher or dive more than they have tried before.
If pilots go too far, they put themselves and their plane at risk.
People learn lessons when they push the envelope.
- Some lessons create new opportunities.
- Other lessons cause great pain.
The question each person must ask: Is the test worth the risk?
“God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness” (Psalm 145:3 MSG).
Thanks to Tim Lewis for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.
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