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 borough of Emmaus, which is home to about 12,000 people just outside Allentown, Pennsylvania, reported several wells over EPA limits – most notably at its waterworks building, where PFOS averaged 32 times over the limit.
—
Austin Fast, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Their income might rise unexpectedly during the year, for example, pushing them over the limit.
—Julie Appleby, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt:
An 18-year-old man from Aurora was arrested at 1:13 a.m. July 8 in the 800 block of East Ogden Avenue on charges of consumption of alcohol by a minor, speeding 15 to 20 mph over the limit and a tobacco violation.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
Penalties will start at $50 for speeds 11-16 mph over the limit and will go up to $500.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for over the limit
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Austin Fast, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Their income might rise unexpectedly during the year, for example, pushing them over the limit.
—Julie Appleby, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt:
An 18-year-old man from Aurora was arrested at 1:13 a.m. July 8 in the 800 block of East Ogden Avenue on charges of consumption of alcohol by a minor, speeding 15 to 20 mph over the limit and a tobacco violation.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
Penalties will start at $50 for speeds 11-16 mph over the limit and will go up to $500.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 30 May 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 29 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share