push

Pronunciation: /pʊʃ/

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Definition of push

verb

1 [with object, usually with adverbial] exert force on (someone or something) in order to move them away from oneself:she pushed her glass towards him [with object and complement]:Lydia pushed the door shut [no object]:he pushed at the skylight, but it wouldn’t budge
hold and exert force on (something) so as to cause it to move in front of one:a woman was pushing a pram
[with adverbial] move one’s body or a part of it into a specified position with effort:she pushed her hands into her pockets
press (a part of a machine or other device):the lift boy pushed the button for the twentieth floor
[with adverbial] cause to reach a particular level or state:competition in the retail sector will push down prices the political chaos could push the country into recession

2 [no object, with adverbial] move forward by using force to pass people or cause them to move aside:she pushed her way through the crowded streets he pushed past an old woman in his haste
(of an army) advance over territory:the guerrillas have pushed south to within 100 miles of the capital
exert oneself to attain something or surpass others:I was pushing hard until about 10 laps from the finish
(be pushing) informal be nearly (a particular age or amount):she must be pushing forty, but she’s still a good looker

3 [with object] compel or urge (someone) to do something, especially to work hard:she believed he was pushing their daughter too hard
[no object] (push for) demand persistently:the council continued to push for the better management of water resources
(be pushed) informal have very little of something, especially time:I’m a bit pushed for time at the moment
(be pushed to do something) informal find it difficult to achieve something:he will be pushed to retain the title as his form this season has been below par

4 [with object] informal promote the use, sale, or acceptance of:the company has been pushing a document management system
sell (a narcotic drug) illegally: she was arrested for pushing hard drugs

5 [with object] Computing prepare (a stack) to receive a piece of data on the top.
transfer (data) to the top of a stack.

6 [with object] Photography develop (a film) so as to compensate for deliberate underexposure: some films can be pushed during processing

noun

1an act of pushing someone or something in order to move them away from oneself:he closed the door with a push
an act of pressing a part of a machine or device:the door locks at the push of a button

2a vigorous effort to do or obtain something:many clubs are joining in the fund-raising push he determined to make one last push for success
a military attack in force:the army was engaged in a push against guerrilla strongholds
[mass noun] forcefulness and enterprise:an investor with the necessary money and push
(a push) informal something that is hard to achieve:we’re managing on our own but it’s a push

Phrases

at a push: British informal if absolutely necessary; only with a certain degree of difficulty:there’s room for four people, or five at a push
get (or give someone) the push (or shove): be dismissed (or dismiss someone) from a job: four PR people at head office are getting the push it’s hard to psych yourself up to get another job after you’ve been given the push; be rejected in (or end) a relationship.
push at (or against) an open door: have no difficulty in accomplishing a task: if the management were to tackle this issue, it might find that it was pushing at an open door
push the boat out: see boat.
push someone's buttons: see button.
be pushing up the daisies: see daisy.
push one's luck: informal take a risk on the assumption that one will continue to be successful or in favour: he had pushed his luck too far, and his smuggling was discovered
when push comes to shove: informal when one must commit oneself to an action or decision:when push came to shove, I always stood up for him

Phrasal Verbs

push ahead: proceed with or continue a course of action:he promised to push ahead with economic reform
push someone around (or about): informal treat someone roughly or inconsiderately: he was annoyed by their arrogance in thinking they could push him around whenever they wished
push in: British go in front of people who are already queuing: they scowled at him because they thought he was trying to push in at the head of the queue
push off
push on: continue on a journey:the light was already fading, but she pushed on
push something through: get a proposed measure completed or accepted quickly: the government is trying to push through a package of measures to combat organized crime

Origin:

Middle English (as a verb): from Old French pousser, from Latin pulsare 'to push, beat, pulse' (see pulse¹). The early sense was 'exert force on', giving rise later to 'make a strenuous effort, endeavour'

push in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of push in the US English dictionary

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Other

push

verb

noun

Phrases

at a push

get (or give someone) the push (or shove)

push at (or against) an open door

push the boat out

push someone's buttons

be pushing up the daisies

push one's luck

when push comes to shove

Phrasal Verbs

push ahead

push someone around (or about)

push in

push off

push on

push something through

Origin:

push in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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