push
♦♦ push /p'ʊʃ/ (pushes pushing pushed)
1 [VERB] V n with adv, V n prep, V n, V, V n adj
When you push something, you use force to make it move away from you or away from its previous position.
The woman pushed back her chair and stood up...
They pushed him into the car.
...a woman pushing a pushchair...
He put both hands flat on the door and pushed as hard as he could...
When there was no reply, he pushed the door open.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Push is also a noun.
He gave me a sharp push...
Information is called up at the push of a button.
2 [VERB] V prep/adv, V way prep/adv
If you push through things that are blocking your way or push your way through them, you use force in order to move past them.
I pushed through the crowds and on to the escalator...
He pushed his way towards her, laughing.
3 [VERB] V into n, V adv into n
If an army pushes into a country or area that it is attacking or invading, it moves further into it.
One detachment pushed into the eastern suburbs towards the airfield...
The army may push southwards into the Kurdish areas.
= advance
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Push is also a noun.
All that was needed was one final push, and the enemy would be vanquished once and for all.
4 [VERB] V n with adv, V n prep
To push a value or amount up or down means to cause it to increase or decrease.
Any shortage could push up grain prices...
Interest had pushed the loan up to $27,000.
5 [VERB] V n with adv, V n prep
If someone or something pushes an idea or project in a particular direction, they cause it to develop or progress in a particular way.
We are continuing to push the business forward...
The government seemed intent on pushing local and central government in opposite directions.
6 [VERB] V n to-inf, V n into -ing, V n prep/adv, V n
If you push someone to do something or push them into doing it, you encourage or force them to do it.
She thanks her parents for keeping her in school and pushing her to study...
James did not push her into stealing the money...
I knew he was pushing himself to the limit and felt rather anxious...
There is no point in pushing them unless they are talented and they enjoy it.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Push is also a noun.
We need a push to take the first step.
7 [VERB] V for n, V for n to-inf
If you push for something, you try very hard to achieve it or to persuade someone to do it.
Britain's health experts are pushing for a ban on all cigarette advertising...
Germany is pushing for direct flights to be established.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Push is also a noun.
In its push for economic growth it has ignored projects that would improve living standards...
8 [VERB] V n
If someone pushes an idea, a point, or a product, they try in a forceful way to convince people to accept it or buy it.
Ministers will push the case for opening the plant...
9 [VERB] V n
When someone pushes drugs, they sell them illegally. (INFORMAL)
She was sent for trial yesterday accused of pushing drugs.
= deal
10
see also pushed, pushing
11 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you get the push or are given the push, you are told that you are not wanted any more, either in your job or by someone you are having a relationship with. (BRIT INFORMAL)
Two cabinet ministers also got the push.
12
to push the boat out: see boat
to push your luck: see luck
if push comes to shove: see shovepush ahead
or push forward
[PHRASAL VERB] V P with n
If you push ahead or push forward with something, you make progress with it.
The government intends to push ahead with its reform programme.push around
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If someone pushes you around, they give you orders in a rude and insulting way. (INFORMAL)
We don't like somebody coming in with lots of money and trying to push people around.push bike (push bikes)
[N-COUNT]
A push bike is a bicycle which you move by turning the pedals with your feet. (BRIT OLD-FASHIONED)push forward
see push aheadpush in
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
When someone pushes in, they unfairly join a queue or line in front of other people who have been waiting longer.
Nina pushed in next to Liddie.push on
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
When you push on, you continue with a journey or task.
Although the journey was a long and lonely one, Tumalo pushed on.push over
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you push someone or something over, you push them so that they fall onto the ground.
People have damaged hedges and pushed over walls...
Anna is always attacking other children, pushing them over.
see also pushoverpush through
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P n
If someone pushes through a law, they succeed in getting it accepted although some people oppose it.
The vote will enable the Prime Minister to push through tough policies...
He tried to push the amendment through Parliament.
1 [VERB] V n with adv, V n prep, V n, V, V n adj
When you push something, you use force to make it move away from you or away from its previous position.
The woman pushed back her chair and stood up...
They pushed him into the car.
...a woman pushing a pushchair...
He put both hands flat on the door and pushed as hard as he could...
When there was no reply, he pushed the door open.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Push is also a noun.
He gave me a sharp push...
Information is called up at the push of a button.
2 [VERB] V prep/adv, V way prep/adv
If you push through things that are blocking your way or push your way through them, you use force in order to move past them.
I pushed through the crowds and on to the escalator...
He pushed his way towards her, laughing.
3 [VERB] V into n, V adv into n
If an army pushes into a country or area that it is attacking or invading, it moves further into it.
One detachment pushed into the eastern suburbs towards the airfield...
The army may push southwards into the Kurdish areas.
= advance
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Push is also a noun.
All that was needed was one final push, and the enemy would be vanquished once and for all.
4 [VERB] V n with adv, V n prep
To push a value or amount up or down means to cause it to increase or decrease.
Any shortage could push up grain prices...
Interest had pushed the loan up to $27,000.
5 [VERB] V n with adv, V n prep
If someone or something pushes an idea or project in a particular direction, they cause it to develop or progress in a particular way.
We are continuing to push the business forward...
The government seemed intent on pushing local and central government in opposite directions.
6 [VERB] V n to-inf, V n into -ing, V n prep/adv, V n
If you push someone to do something or push them into doing it, you encourage or force them to do it.
She thanks her parents for keeping her in school and pushing her to study...
James did not push her into stealing the money...
I knew he was pushing himself to the limit and felt rather anxious...
There is no point in pushing them unless they are talented and they enjoy it.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Push is also a noun.
We need a push to take the first step.
7 [VERB] V for n, V for n to-inf
If you push for something, you try very hard to achieve it or to persuade someone to do it.
Britain's health experts are pushing for a ban on all cigarette advertising...
Germany is pushing for direct flights to be established.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Push is also a noun.
In its push for economic growth it has ignored projects that would improve living standards...
8 [VERB] V n
If someone pushes an idea, a point, or a product, they try in a forceful way to convince people to accept it or buy it.
Ministers will push the case for opening the plant...
9 [VERB] V n
When someone pushes drugs, they sell them illegally. (INFORMAL)
She was sent for trial yesterday accused of pushing drugs.
= deal
10
see also pushed, pushing
11 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you get the push or are given the push, you are told that you are not wanted any more, either in your job or by someone you are having a relationship with. (BRIT INFORMAL)
Two cabinet ministers also got the push.
12
to push the boat out: see boat
to push your luck: see luck
if push comes to shove: see shovepush ahead
or push forward
[PHRASAL VERB] V P with n
If you push ahead or push forward with something, you make progress with it.
The government intends to push ahead with its reform programme.push around
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If someone pushes you around, they give you orders in a rude and insulting way. (INFORMAL)
We don't like somebody coming in with lots of money and trying to push people around.push bike (push bikes)
[N-COUNT]
A push bike is a bicycle which you move by turning the pedals with your feet. (BRIT OLD-FASHIONED)push forward
see push aheadpush in
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
When someone pushes in, they unfairly join a queue or line in front of other people who have been waiting longer.
Nina pushed in next to Liddie.push on
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
When you push on, you continue with a journey or task.
Although the journey was a long and lonely one, Tumalo pushed on.push over
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you push someone or something over, you push them so that they fall onto the ground.
People have damaged hedges and pushed over walls...
Anna is always attacking other children, pushing them over.
see also pushoverpush through
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P n
If someone pushes through a law, they succeed in getting it accepted although some people oppose it.
The vote will enable the Prime Minister to push through tough policies...
He tried to push the amendment through Parliament.