what does it mean to " push the envelope" ?

Answer 1

That was a term invented by early test pilots to denote when they were going to attempt to take a test aircraft beyond what might be considered the "safe" zone - i.e. take off in a shorter-than-recommended time, go faster and/or higher, turn more sharply, and in military use, to get much closer to the opponent than might ordinarily be considered wise.

It was adopted by race car drivers in the 1950s pretty much to describe the same thing - taking a vehicle beyond it's design limits. Now it is used any time one decides to try to force a machine -or onesself - to do much more than it was originally intended to do. It's another way of saying "go for it" or "go for broke".

Answer 2

To "Push the Envelope", it means you are taking it too far and should probably stop talking.

Answer 3

it means to push an envelope

Answer 4

I hate all this coporate speak.

What our bosses mean when they say the want us to "push the envelope" is that they wants us to work harder, usually more unpaid hours and produce better results that they can claim success for themselves from.

They also call it "raising the bar".

Answer 5

I think it means to push it too far, beyond limits.

Answer 6

Pushing beyond what is normal and expected. This is how progress is made.

Answer 7

where does push the envelope come from

Answer 8

It means to take things to extremes; to the limit

Answer 9

Go beyond the norm or the limits.

Answer 10

It means to move forward with a plan, a task, a job... be a bit more daring and aggressive... less talk and more action!

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-pus1.htm