Cap vs That's my __ limit

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Cap

Top 2,000 (common)B1noun

That's my __ limit

Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Cap
 CapThat's my __ limit
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/kæp/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kæp/"]/🇬🇧 //ðæts maɪ ˈlɪmɪt//🇺🇸 //ðæts maɪ ˈlɪmɪt//
MeaningA type of hat that fits closely to the head.The most you can handle or endure.
ExampleHe wore a red cap to shield his eyes from the sun.After a long day at work, I just said, 'That's my limit!'
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 5,000 (fairly common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsschool, shower, skull, doff, tip, badge, school, shower, skull, doff, tip, badge, bottle, hub, lens, put on, screw on, removeset a limit, personal limit, reach a limit, push the limit, exceed a limit
Antonymshatless, bareheaded-
Common mistakes'Cap' confused with 'cape' (a type of clothing)., 'Cap' used incorrectly as a verb without proper context., Using 'caps' for only one item instead of the singular 'cap'.Using 'limits' instead of 'limit' when referring to a single boundary., Confusing it with 'That's my final limit,' which can sound redundant., Forgetting to capitalize 'That's' at the beginning of a sentence.
Usage notesUse 'cap' in everyday conversation to refer to a hat, especially those with a brim. More formal terms like 'hat' may be used in writing. 'Cap' is often used in sports contexts.This phrase is commonly used in conversations about personal boundaries, stress, or situations where someone feels overwhelmed. It can be used in both casual and serious contexts.

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Cap
That's my __ limit

Frequently asked questions: Cap vs That's my __ limit

What's the difference between Cap and That's my __ limit?

Cap: A type of hat that fits closely to the head. That's my __ limit: The most you can handle or endure.

Which is more common: Cap and That's my __ limit?

Cap is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Cap: He wore a red cap to shield his eyes from the sun. That's my __ limit: After a long day at work, I just said, 'That's my limit!'

Can I use Cap and That's my __ limit interchangeably?

Not always. Cap and That's my __ limit are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.