max out

See also: maxout

English

Verb

max out (third-person singular simple present maxes out, present participle maxing out, simple past and past participle maxed out)

1. (informal, intransitive) To reach the limit of one's capabilities.

   Coordinate term: tap out

   In the bench press, he has maxed out at 110 kg.

2. (informal, intransitive) To reach a maximum or a point at which no more growth or improvement is possible.

   Synonym: top out

   This machine maxes out at a 110 kW output.

   • 2013, Xhenet Aliu, Domesticated Wild Things, and Other Stories, page 69:

     Nadja had not thought of the word elegant since her mother made her model for no real occasion one sequined monstrosity after another at Denise's Bridal Affair, pretending her daughter was a pageanteer and hadn't maxed out at a B-cup.

3. (informal, transitive) To use (something) to the limit of its capabilities.

   Coordinate terms: use up; fill up

   to max out one's credit card(s)

   I've spent all afternoon shopping and maxed out my credit card.

Antonyms

• See Thesaurus:increase § Antonyms (intransitive) and Thesaurus:augment § Antonyms (transitive)

Related terms

• maximization
• maximize