English, baby!

push the envelope

Date: May 20 2010

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

“You can’t be afraid when it comes to fashion. I like to push the envelope a little bit.”

- Actress Jennifer Lopez talks about her personal style. (Us Weekly)

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

Go Super to Listen

do something new and different; do something better

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

Go Super to Listen

At the 2000 Grammys, Jennifer Lopez showed up in a stunning green dress whose deep V-neck went all the way down to her bellybutton. Ever since then, she has been known as a style icon who likes to push the envelope when it comes to fashion. She takes risks with her style and likes clothes that have a sexy edge.

But wait, what do envelopes have to do with style? Usually, an envelope is a container that you send letters in. But when you say someone pushes the envelope, you mean she pushes boundaries in some way. She moves beyond our expectations and challenges our commonly accepted ideas.

The expression push the envelope comes from airplane pilots. All planes have certain limitations of speed, how high they can fly, and how quickly they can change direction. These limits are known as the plane’s performance envelope. The plane’s abilities are contained within the envelope, like a letter.

Pilots who push the envelope take planes up to or even beyond their known limits, in order to find out exactly how well the planes can truly perform. In the same way, J. Lo pushes the envelope with her style, challenging the public’s ideas about how high a pair of heels can be or how low a neckline can plunge.

Do you like to push the envelope in any way, or are you more conservative?

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

Go Super to Listen

“Eminem is probably going to push the envelope with his new album.”

“My brother is always trying to push the envelope with my parents, but sometimes he goes too far. “

“Each year, Apple releases new products that push the envelope.”

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

	push the envelope : to try to go beyond the normal limits of something by majid_jjs
	to go further,or far by Lubna Alyy
	press the limits, be innovative. by _Sasha_
	The meaning is to innovate, or go beyond commonly accepted boundaries. by arcana

Want to guess next week's slang?

Comments

1 through 20 of 28
Next >
1 2

princessanika

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

oh yes Jenifer Lopez,she is realy fashion about her dresses,her shoes,her hair.

she dance and her clothes for dance is fashion too.so,she is briliant

Marcelolic

Brazil

Hehe that's trip this expression :P But don't worry we brazilian people have many strange expressions too :P hahaha

I realize this expression has to do a little with "break rules","break limits","be original"etc…I like to be original in many things that I do,in my stuff etc…

Moonali

Pakistan

I always ready to push the envelope for the improvement of my english and for incresement of my sincere friends.

Debby cruz

Brazil

J.lo it's really nice

sweet bab

Pakistan

To go further,or far

roc.yang

China

hello!~

kobiet.ka

Poland

no…it is not tyical of me….I prefer to act according rules. i do not like checking possible borders. I am affraid of consequences.

damianmxpx

Argentina

you feel ready to do something new.

mari mina

Egypt

thanks

rosendo

Mexico

wow j.lo really nice !!!

SÉRGIO

Brazil

good slang! pushing the envelope…i like doing that sometimes as well!

mionfabian

Brazil

actualy…

I always do that…

Not with clothes… but everywhere…

I am so much innovative…. tks God… :)

ahmedatas

Turkey

hi it is first time ı m trying to learn a lesson..ı was attend on chat before.. anyone can help me about the lessons? e mail me ok ? here: or thank you all .. have a nice days..

maily

Dominican Republic

.hellOoo!....

.......hOw are yOu Ryo49t !¡! My niCe friend!

......hehe! Only! I Wanted ! tO giVe My! OpinioN!

.......I aM nOt paRtiCipIng!!........hehehe!.......

......... kiSses! 4 yOu! ........... Have a Nice Day!

........ - * _ _ * - ................

Ryo49t

Saudi Arabia

maily why u are not a winer above?

elin_fransiska24

Indonesia

So…let's push the envelope a little bit, in every single thing that we do.. Like Englishbaby.com..they certainly have pushed the envelope in the way of learning English online. =) is it correct?

gddgdhdgh

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Hesam Ahmady Birgani

denisselena345

Peru

I'd like to push the envelope in my office. Most of my coworkers are very conservative

denisselena345

Peru

I'd like to push the envelope in my office. Most of my coworkers are very conservative

The sweet

Russian Federation

I like Jenifer Lopes. She has good style and allways looks very gorgeous. I wouldn’t dare dress or do others things to push the envelop in my common life.