over the limit
idiom
British
: having more alcohol in the blood than is legally allowed for someone who is driving
He was arrested for driving over the limit.
Examples of over the limit in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The court clerk is already receiving about 1,200 e-citations a day for minor moving violations like failure to stop at a stop sign, wear a seat belt, have a valid license or registration, speeding (over the limit but under 25 mph) and speeding in school or construction zones.
—
A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Among the violations for which troopers most frequently issued citations in 2025 were careless driving, operating a motorcycle without a license endorsement, and speeding 10 mph to 29 mph over the limit.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
About 9% were speeding, and only a few were significantly over the limit.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Miller, 22, was arrested on suspicion of committing vehicular assault, speeding 40 mph or more over the limit, reckless driving, child abuse, reckless endangerment and other charges.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for over the limit
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A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Among the violations for which troopers most frequently issued citations in 2025 were careless driving, operating a motorcycle without a license endorsement, and speeding 10 mph to 29 mph over the limit.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
About 9% were speeding, and only a few were significantly over the limit.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Miller, 22, was arrested on suspicion of committing vehicular assault, speeding 40 mph or more over the limit, reckless driving, child abuse, reckless endangerment and other charges.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for over the limit
Cite this Entry
“Over the limit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/over%20the%20limit. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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