Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

push the envelope

Chinese translation:

只看表面

Added to glossary by albertdeng
Jan 15, 2004 09:54
20 yrs ago
English term

Do not push the envelope.

English to Chinese Art/Literary
It is an English slang or American sland. What does "push the envelope" mean?

Proposed translations

23 mins
Selected

Do not be quick to judge based on appearances alone.

Although this question is probably more appropriate for the English-English board, this is how I as a native speaker would interpret the phrase: "appearances are deceiving", or "it is what is inside that counts".

In human relationships this would amount to listen to the individual and do not judge his or her character, ability to contribute, or value as a human being by his or her gender, nationality, race, social status, etc.
Peer comment(s):

agree Danbing HE
3 hrs
disagree clearwater : 把...发挥到极致
13 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you. A native speaker really makes the difference! I can figure out a corresponding Chinese idom myself."
7 hrs

do not go too far?

Could be 'do not try my patience'

'pushing the envelope' sometimes means going beyond what is already known/done in terms of technology, but I haven't heard of it with 'do not'

Something went wrong...
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search