Cool MateLimit vs That's as high as it goes
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Limit
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
That's as high as it goes
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Limit
| Limit | That's as high as it goes | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈlɪmɪt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈlɪmɪt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts æz haɪ əz ɪt ɡoʊz//🇺🇸 //ðæts æz haɪ əz ɪt ɡoʊz// |
| Meaning | The most you can have or do. | It reaches its highest point. |
| Example | There is a limit to how much time we can spend on this project. | The water level in the tank is full; that's as high as it goes. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | outer, northern, southern, have, approach, near, above a/the limit, at a/the limit, below a/the limit, outer, northern, southern, have, approach, near, above a/the limit, at a/the limit, below a/the limit, outer, northern, southern, have, approach, near, above a/the limit, at a/the limit, below a/the limit | as high as it gets, reach as high as, goes up to, not go higher, maximum level |
| Antonyms | increase, expand, extend | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'limit' with 'limitless', which means without limits., Using 'limit' as a verb without an object, e.g., saying 'I limit' instead of 'I limit my spending'., Misusing the plural form 'limits' when referring to an abstract concept. | Confusing with 'That's as low as it goes' when referring to a minimum., Using 'go' in past tense instead of present when talking about current limits., Saying 'that's as high that it goes', which is incorrect. |
| Usage notes | Use 'limit' in discussions about restrictions or boundaries, like time, resources, or capabilities. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but be cautious using it in overly casual settings when discussing sensitive topics. | Use this phrase when referring to a limit or maximum height. It is casual and can be used in conversations or informal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Limit vs That's as high as it goes
What's the difference between Limit and That's as high as it goes?
Limit: The most you can have or do. That's as high as it goes: It reaches its highest point.
Which is more common: Limit and That's as high as it goes?
Limit is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Limit: There is a limit to how much time we can spend on this project. That's as high as it goes: The water level in the tank is full; that's as high as it goes.
Can I use Limit and That's as high as it goes interchangeably?
Not always. Limit and That's as high as it goes 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.