Japatan
Formation
- N(時) + を限りに
- 声 + を限りに
Explanation
There are two uses. (1) With a time noun such as 今日, 今年 or 今回, it means that something that has continued until now ends at that point. It is common for store closings, retirements and resolutions to quit. (2) In the set phrase 声を限りに, it means as loudly as one possibly can.
Examples
本日 を限りに、当店は閉店いたします。
As of today, this store will close for good.
今日 を限りに、たばこはやめることにした。
I've decided that today is the last day I smoke.
佐藤選手は今シーズン を限りに引退すると発表した。
Sato announced that he will retire at the end of this season.
観客は声 を限りに、自分のチームを応援した。
The fans cheered for their team at the top of their voices.
Notes
Use (1) only for endings, never for starting something. をもって also marks an end point, but を限りに is also common in personal resolutions.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1このサービスは今月末（ ）終了いたします。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 を限りに
The sentence means: This service will end as of the end of this month. を通じて means through, をもとに means based on, and をこめて means with feeling.
2「〜を限りに」の使い方が正しい文はどれか。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 この大会を限りに、現役を退くつもりだ。
3 means: I plan to retire from competition after this tournament. を限りに marks the end of something ongoing. 1 is a start, 2 mixes up time, and 4 does not describe an ending.
3子どもたちは声を（ ）歌った。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 限りに
声を限りに is a set phrase meaning as loudly as possible. The sentence means: The children sang at the top of their voices.
