- 1[intransitive, transitive] to use your hands, arms, or body in order to make someone or 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. push at something She pushed at the door but it wouldn't budge. push something He walked slowly up the hill pushing his bike. push somebody/something + adv./prep. She pushed the cup toward me. He pushed his chair back and stood up. He tried to kiss her but she pushed him away. She pushed her face toward him. push something + adj. I pushed the door open.
- 2[intransitive, transitive] to use force to move past someone or something using your hands, arms, etc. People were pushing and shoving to get to the front. + adv./prep. The fans pushed against the barrier. push your way + adv./prep. Try and push your way through the crowd.
- 3[transitive] push something + adv./prep. 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. switch/button
- 4[transitive] push something to press a switch, button, etc., for example in order to make a machine start working I pushed the button for the top floor. persuade
- 5[transitive] to persuade or encourage someone to do something that they may not want to do push somebody (into something/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? work hard
- 6[transitive] push somebody/yourself to make someone work hard The music teacher really pushes her students. Lucy should push herself a little harder. put pressure on someone
- 7[transitive] push somebody (+ adv./prep.) (informal) to put pressure on someone and make them angry or upset Her parents are very tolerant, but sometimes she pushes them too far.
- 8[transitive] push something (informal) 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. sell drugs
- 9[transitive] push something (informal) to sell illegal drugs of army
- 10[intransitive] + adv./prep. to move forward quickly through an area The army pushed (on) toward the capital. Idioms
verb jump to other results
NAmE//pʊʃ//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they push he / she / it pushes
past simple pushed
-ing form pushing
to be nearly 40, 50, etc. years old
to be dead and in a grave
to react in a sudden or extreme way to something unexpected that has frightened you The government pressed the panic button yesterday as the economy plunged deeper into crisis.
to do exactly the right things to please someone a new satirical comedy show that pushes all the right buttons
to make someone react in either a positive or a negative way I've known him for years, but I still don't know what pushes his buttons.
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 try to forget about something unpleasant I tried to push the thought to the back of my mind. Phrasal Verbspush aheadpush aroundpush asidepush backpush forpush forwardpush offpush onpush outpush overpush through
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