press
verb/pres/
/pres/
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they press | /pres/ /pres/ |
| he / she / it presses | /ˈpresɪz/ /ˈpresɪz/ |
| past simple pressed | /prest/ /prest/ |
| past participle pressed | /prest/ /prest/ |
| -ing form pressing | /ˈpresɪŋ/ /ˈpresɪŋ/ |
- [transitive, intransitive] to push part of a device, etc. in order to make it work
- press something to press a button/key
- press something + adj. He pressed the lid firmly shut.
- (+ adv./prep.) Press here to open.
- She pressed down hard on the gas pedal.
Extra ExamplesTopics Engineeringb1- Press the button marked ‘Stop’.
- Press any key to restart your computer.
- Only press the buzzer if you have the right answer.
- I pressed hard on the doorbell.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- firmly
- forcefully
- hard
- …
- against
- into
- on
- …
- press something flat
- press something open
- press something shut
- …
- [transitive, intransitive] to push something closely against something; to be pushed in this way
- press something/somebody/yourself against something She pressed her face against the window.
- press something to something He pressed a handkerchief to his nose.
- press something together She pressed her lips together.
- press something Her lips softly pressed my cheek.
- press against something His body was pressing against hers.
- press (down) (on something) She pressed down harder on the paper.
Extra Examples- He pressed up closer against the wall, terrified of being seen.
- She curled up, her knees pressed tightly to her chest.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- firmly
- forcefully
- hard
- …
- against
- into
- on
- …
- press something flat
- press something open
- press something shut
- …
- [transitive] press something into/onto something to put something in a place by pushing it
- He pressed a coin into her hand and moved on.
- She pressed a finger into the dough.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- firmly
- forcefully
- hard
- …
- against
- into
- on
- …
- press something flat
- press something open
- press something shut
- …
- [transitive] press something to put gentle pressure on somebody’s hand or arm, especially to show care or kind feelings
- He gently pressed her arm, then left.
- [intransitive] + adv./prep. (of people in a crowd) to move in the direction mentioned by pushing
- The photographers pressed around the royal visitors.
- (figurative) A host of unwelcome thoughts were pressing in on him.
- The crowd pressed forward.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- firmly
- forcefully
- hard
- …
- against
- into
- on
- …
- press something flat
- press something open
- press something shut
- …
- [transitive] to make strong efforts to persuade or force somebody to do something synonym push, urge
- press somebody If pressed, he will admit that he knew about the affair.
- press somebody for something The bank is pressing us for repayment of the loan.
- press somebody to do something They are pressing us to make a quick decision.
- press somebody into (doing) something Don't let yourself be pressed into doing something you don't like.
- press somebody on something I did not press him further on the issue.
- + speech ‘Are you sure?’ she pressed gently.
Extra ExamplesTopics Discussion and agreementc1- When pressed by journalists, he refused to comment.
- He was pressed into giving her a job.
- Pressed by the opposition to resign, she stood firm.
- We will continue to press the government to provide details of the agreement.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- strongly
- consistently
- continually
- …
- continue to
- for
- on
- [transitive] press something to express or repeat something with force
- I don't want to press the point, but you do owe me $200.
- She is still pressing her claim for compensation.
- They were determined to press their case at the highest level.
Extra Examples- In the interview he strongly pressed his point of view.
- The party will continue to press the case for a new electoral system.
- [transitive] to make something flat or smooth by using force or putting something heavy on top
- press something The easiest way to press flowers is between the pages of a book.
- press something + adj. Press the soil flat with the back of a spade.
- [transitive] press something to make clothes smooth using a hot iron synonym iron
- My suit needs pressing.
- his immaculately pressed suit
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryphrases- immaculately pressed
- neatly pressed
- [transitive] press something to get the juice out of fruit or vegetables by using force or weightTopics Cooking and eatingc1
- [transitive] to make something from a material, using pressure
- press something to press a CD
- press something from/out of something The car bodies are pressed out of sheets of metal.
push
try to persuade
point/claim/case
make flat/smooth
fruit/vegetables
metal
Word Originverb Middle English: from Old French presse (noun), presser (verb), from Latin pressare ‘keep pressing’, frequentative of premere. press somebody/something into service. late 16th cent.: alteration (by association with press, verb) of obsolete prest ‘pay given on enlistment, enlistment by such payment’, from Old French prest ‘loan, advance pay’, based on Latin praestare ‘provide’.
Idioms
See press in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee press in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishbring/press/lay/prefer charges against somebody
- (law) to accuse somebody formally of a crime so that there can be a trial in court
- Police have brought a charge of dangerous driving against the man.
- Many victims of crime are reluctant to press charges against their attackers.
- She laid charges against the firm for not complying with the regulations.
press all the (right) buttons (especially British English)
(also push all the (right) buttons British and North American English)
- (informal) to do exactly the right things to please somebody
- a new satirical comedy show that presses all the right buttons
press (the) flesh
- (informal) (of a famous person or politician) to say hello to people by shaking hands
press something home
- to get as much advantage as possible from a situation by attacking or arguing in a determined way
- to press home an attack/an argument/a point
- Simon saw she was hesitating and pressed home his advantage.
press somebody/something into service
- to use somebody/something for a purpose that they were not trained or intended for because there is nobody or nothing else available
- Every type of boat was pressed into service to rescue passengers from the sinking ferry.
press/push the panic button
- 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.
press reset
- to push the reset button on a machine or device
- When the game is over, press reset to start a new game.
- to make an important change in your life, career, etc. by starting again with a fresh approach
- Working from home during Covid gave many people a chance to press reset and make changes in their lives.
Check pronunciation:
press