WordGarden.iopush
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈʊʃ/
US
- /ˈpʊʃ/
Meanings
Verb
to move something away or forward by applying force
to pressure or urge someone strongly to do something
to promote or sell something aggressively
Noun
an act of pushing or the force used to move something
a determined effort to make something happen
Beyond the definition
To push something means to use force to move it away from you or to press hard against it. You might push a door open, push a shopping cart down the aisle, or push a button to make something happen. It is about using effort to create movement or action.
But "push" is not always physical. We also push ideas, plans, or products when we try hard to get support or attention for them. A parent might push a child to work harder in school, and a person might push themselves to keep going when things are difficult. In many cases, the word suggests effort, pressure, or a strong drive to move something forward.
The word "push" is a very flexible English word. At its most basic, it means to use force on something so that it moves away from you or so that pressure is applied. A child can push a toy car across the floor, someone can push a door until it opens, and you can push a button, switch, or handle to make something work.
But the word is also used in many figurative ways. To push for change means to work strongly to make that change happen. A company can push a new product, a leader can push a plan, and a group can push for better laws or better working conditions. In these cases, the idea is not physical movement but strong effort to make progress.
Push can also describe pressure on a person. A teacher might push students to do their best, an athlete might push themselves through a hard workout, and someone might be pushed into making a decision before they feel ready. Here, the word carries the sense of urging, pressure, or forcing action.
The word appears in many common expressions too. For example, to "push through" means to continue despite difficulty, and to "push back" can mean to resist or oppose something. These forms still keep the basic feeling of force, effort, or movement.
So whether it describes moving an object, pressing a control, urging a person, or trying to make something happen, push is about force, effort, and moving things ahead, either in a literal or a figurative way.
Examples
- 1
Physical force
I had to push the door hard because it was sticking.
- 2
Moving objects
He pushed the boat away from the shore.
- 3
School pressure
We try not to push the kids too hard at school.
- Patternpush someone too hard
expect too much from them
- 4
Product promotion
The company is pushing its new app everywhere this month.
- Patternpush a product
try hard to promote or sell it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Deadline request
She's been pushing for a later deadline all week.
- Patternpush for + goal
strongly try to get it
- 6
Coaching
Her coach pushed her to keep going when she wanted to stop.
- Patternpush someone to do something
strongly encourage or pressure them
- 7
Scheduling
The sales team pushed the meeting back to Friday.
- Patternpush X back
delay X to a later time
- 8
Workplace resistance
Several employees pushed back against the new rule.
- Patternpush back against + rule/decision
resist or oppose it
- 9
Difficult work
We just need to push through the last two chapters.
- Patternpush through + task
continue until something difficult is finished
- 10
Risk-taking
I don't want to push my luck.
- Phrasepush your luck
take more risk because things have gone well so far
- 11
Warning
Don't push it.
- Phrasepush it
go too far or ask for too much
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- pushnounverb
Forms
- pushing-ing formverbnoun
- pushedpast tenseverbnoun
- pushespluralnounverb