📒 to use your hands, arms or body in order to make somebody/something move forward or away from you; to move part of your body into a particular position
- We pushed and pushed but the piano wouldn't move.
- Push hard when I tell you to.
- You push and I'll pull.
📒 to use force to move past somebody/something using your hands, arms, etc.
- People were pushing and shoving to get to the front.
- push + adv./prep. The fans pushed against the barrier.
- push your way + adv./prep. Try and push your way through the crowd.
📒 to press a switch, button, etc., for example in order to make a machine start working
- I pushed the button for the top floor.
- The operator must have accidentally pushed the switch on the joystick.
- She pushed a lever and the machine responded.
📒 to affect something so that it reaches a particular level or state
- This development could push the country into recession.
- The rise in interest rates will push prices up.
- Little pent-up demand exists to push the economy forward this year.
📒 to persuade or encourage somebody to do something that they may not want to do
- push somebody into something He made it clear that he would resist any attempt to push him into early retirement.
- push somebody into doing something My teacher pushed me into entering the competition.
- push somebody to do something No one pushed you to take the job, did they?
📒 to make somebody work hard
- The music teacher really pushes her pupils.
- Lucy should push herself a little harder.
- He keeps pushing himself to get better.
📒 to put pressure on somebody and make them angry or upset
- Her parents are very tolerant, but sometimes she pushes them too far.
- He felt he was being pushed to the limit of his self-control.
📒 to try hard to persuade people to accept or agree with a new idea, buy a new product, etc.
- The interview gave him a chance to push his latest movie.
- She didn't want to push the point any further at that moment.
- He continues to push his own political agenda.
📒 to sell illegal drugs
📒 to move forward quickly through an area
- The army pushed (on) towards the capital.
📒 to be nearly 40, 50, etc. years old
📒 to be dead and buried in the ground
📒 to react in a sudden or extreme way to something unexpected that has frightened you
- The prime minister pressed the panic button yesterday as Britain’s economy plunged deeper into crisis.
📒 to do exactly the right things to please somebody
- a new satirical comedy show that pushes all the right buttons
📒 to spend a lot of money on enjoying yourself or celebrating something
📒 to attempt to go beyond what is allowed or thought to be possible
- We aim to push the boundaries of what we can achieve.
- She pushes her physical limits through various endurance challenges.
📒 to go beyond the limits of what is allowed or thought to be possible
- He is a performer who consistently pushes the envelope of TV comedy.
📒 to take a risk because you have successfully avoided problems in the past
- You didn't get caught last time, but don't push your luck!
📒 to force somebody to lose control of their behaviour, usually after a particular event or series of events
- No one knows exactly what caused his breakdown, but losing his job may have pushed him over the edge.
📒 to react in a sudden or extreme way to something unexpected that has frightened you
- The prime minister pushed the panic button yesterday as Britain's economy plunged deeper into crisis.
📒 to try to forget about something unpleasant
- I tried to push the thought to the back of my mind.