push
push — verb
1. to press firmly against someone or something using your hands or body, applying
to press firmly against someone or something using your hands or body, applying force to move them away or change their position
Dario pushed the heavy stone door open with both hands.
push + object + complement (open/shut)
Soraya pushed her dinner plate away after eating only half of her meal.
push + object + adverb (away/aside)
Valentina gently pushed the cat off the table so she could set it for dinner.
The back of Andrei's chair pushed against the wall when he leaned too far back.
push + against + object (intransitive)
- push open
- push aside
- push away
- push against
- pull
move something toward yourself instead of away
Grammar Patterns
push + object + adverb/preposition
push + against + object
Usage Note
Often used with adverbs that show direction or result, such as away, open, shut, aside, or through.
Common Mistakes
2. to use force against people or things that block your path, pressing past them t
to use force against people or things that block your path, pressing past them to get where you need to go
The nurse pushed through the crowd of reporters to reach the ambulance.
push + through + object
Naoko pushed past the other passengers and ran for the last train.
push + past + object
Reuben pushed his way to the front of the stage to see the singer up close.
push + one's way + preposition
Ming-Na pushed through the crowd without looking back, desperate to catch the departing train.
push + through + object (intransitive) without -ing complement
- push through
- push past
- push one's way
Grammar Patterns
push + adverb/preposition
push + one's way + adverb/preposition
Usage Note
The transitive pattern push one's way is common when describing movement through a dense crowd or tight space.
Common Mistakes
3. if a military force pushes in a certain direction, its soldiers move forward tog
if a military force pushes in a certain direction, its soldiers move forward together toward a target, often after fighting
Government troops pushed deeper into rebel territory during the night.
push + adverb + into + object
The army pushed across the river after the engineers rebuilt the bridge.
push + across + object
Our forces pushed forward despite heavy rain and thick mud.
The battalion pushed toward the capital city as the ceasefire collapsed.
push + toward + object
- push into
- push across
- push forward
- push deeper
- advance
more general and formal; does not imply the same level of physical struggle
- press forward
emphasises determination and effort
- retreat
to move backward away from the enemy
Grammar Patterns
push + adverb/preposition (into/across/through/toward)
Usage Note
Common in news reports and historical writing about battles. The direction word (into, across, through, toward) is almost always included.
4. to try hard to make someone do something they are not sure about or would rather
to try hard to make someone do something they are not sure about or would rather not do, often by applying constant pressure
Talia's parents pushed her to study medicine, but she wanted to be an artist instead.
push + object + to-infinitive
The sales manager pushed his team into working on Saturdays without extra pay.
push + object + into + -ing
Aylin felt pushed into accepting the job offer even though she had serious doubts.
passive: be pushed into + -ing
Her coach kept pushing her to train harder even after she won the silver medal.
- push to do
- push into
- feel pushed
- discourage
to try to stop someone from doing something
Grammar Patterns
push + to-infinitive
push + into + -ing
Usage Note
The push + into + -ing pattern is stronger and more negative than push + to-infinitive. It suggests the person genuinely did not want to do the thing.
Common Mistakes
5. to make a strong and repeated effort to get people to buy a product or accept an
to make a strong and repeated effort to get people to buy a product or accept an idea through advertising and discussion
The company spent millions pushing its new smartphone on social media platforms.
push + object + on + place
Saira has been pushing her plan for a community garden at every council meeting.
push + object + at + event
Record labels push young singers to release new songs as quickly as possible.
push + object + to-infinitive (cross-sense with urge)
The politician pushed her education reform bill at every public event she attended.
- push a product
- push an idea
- push hard
Grammar Patterns
push + object
push + object + on/at + someone
Usage Note
Can also be used for promoting an idea or policy, not just a physical product. Distinguish from sense 4 (URGE FORCEFULLY) — here the target is the thing being promoted, not a person being pressured.
Common Mistakes
6. to sell drugs such as heroin or cocaine that are against the law
to sell drugs such as heroin or cocaine that are against the law
The police arrested the man who had been pushing heroin in the neighborhood for months.
push + drug name
Local authorities are cracking down on dealers pushing fentanyl on the streets.
Vikram got in trouble with the law after he started pushing pills outside the nightclubs.
push + pills (slang for illegal tablets)
Undercover officers arrested a group pushing cocaine near the university campus.
- push heroin
- push cocaine
- push pills
- deal
the most common neutral word for selling illegal drugs
- sell drugs
neutral and clear; suitable for any register
Grammar Patterns
push + object (drug name)
Usage Note
This is informal slang. In neutral or formal contexts, use sell drugs or deal drugs instead. Often used in news reports about street-level drug crime.
Common Mistakes
7. to send data or messages from a central server to a user's device automatically,
to send data or messages from a central server to a user's device automatically, without the user requesting it.
The news app pushes breaking stories to subscribers as soon as they happen.
push + something + to + receiver — automatic data delivery
Yan's phone buzzed when the system pushed a software update to her device overnight.
This weather service pushes severe storm alerts to residents without them installing extra software.
push + alerts + to + people — unsolicited but useful data
A fitness tracker pushed a weekly summary to my phone every Sunday morning.
- push notifications
- push updates
- push data to
- push alerts
- push content
- pull
in computing, the user or client actively requests the data
Grammar Patterns
push + something + to + someone/something
Usage Note
Common in mobile and web technology contexts. The opposite action (receiving data only when you ask for it) is called 'pull'.
Common Mistakes
8. to cause something to rise, grow, or develop to a higher level, degree, or a mor
to cause something to rise, grow, or develop to a higher level, degree, or a more advanced condition.
Rising fuel costs pushed bus fares up by twenty percent this spring.
push + prices + up by [amount] — quantifying the increase
The coach's tough training pushed the team's performance to a level they had never reached.
A drought in the south pushed water restrictions into effect across the entire region.
push + noun + into [state/condition] — causing a new situation
The new factory pushed local employment to its highest level in a decade.
- push up prices
- push costs down
- push to a record
- push into effect
- push beyond limits
Grammar Patterns
push + noun + to/toward/into + something
Usage Note
Often used with up/down as particles ('push prices up', 'push costs down'). The object is usually a price, level, rate, or measure of performance.
Common Mistakes
9. to be close to reaching a particular age, amount, or length of time.
to be close to reaching a particular age, amount, or length of time.
Grandpa is pushing eighty but still walks two miles every morning.
push + age — approaching a milestone birthday
The temperature outside pushed forty degrees Celsius in the shade yesterday afternoon.
With the project deadline pushing midnight, Mathieu ordered coffee for the whole team.
push + time — approaching a time limit
The city's population is pushing three million for the first time since the 1990s.
- pushing forty
- pushing fifty
- pushing eighty
- pushing midnight
- pushing the limit
Grammar Patterns
push + number/age
Usage Note
Always used with a number or quantity. Most common with ages ('pushing 40', 'pushing 90') and temperatures ('pushing 100°F'). Not used for single-digit numbers — you would not say 'pushing 3 years old.'
Common Mistakes
push about
phrasal verbTo treat someone rudely or unfairly by giving them orders.
The new manager pushes his staff about all the time.
Don't let your brother push you about like that.
push ahead
phrasal verbTo continue with a plan or activity despite difficulties.
Despite the rain, the team pushed ahead with the project.
We decided to push ahead with the merger despite the risks.
push around
phrasal verbTo treat someone in a bossy or unfair way.
The older kids pushed the younger ones around on the playground.
She refuses to be pushed around by her colleagues.
push aside
phrasal verbTo ignore or treat something as unimportant.
He pushed aside his doubts and accepted the job offer.
The government pushed aside the protesters' demands.
push back
phrasal verbTo delay something to a later time or date.
The meeting was pushed back to next Tuesday.
They pushed back the deadline by a week.
push for
phrasal verbTo try hard to achieve or obtain something.
The workers are pushing for higher wages.
Environmental groups are pushing for stricter laws.
push forward
phrasal verbTo continue making progress or to promote something.
The company pushed forward with its expansion plans.
She pushed forward her proposal at the board meeting.
push in
phrasal verbTo rudely join a line of people who are waiting.
A man pushed in front of me at the bus stop.
Don't push in; wait your turn like everyone else.
push off
phrasal verbTo leave a place, often in a rude way.
He told the annoying salesman to push off.
It's getting late; I think we should push off now.
push on
phrasal verbTo continue traveling or doing something despite difficulties.
Despite the storm, the hikers pushed on to the summit.
We were tired, but we pushed on with the work.
push out
phrasal verbTo force someone to leave a place or position.
The new CEO pushed out the old management team.
The community pushed out the drug dealers from the neighborhood.
push over
phrasal verbTo cause someone or something to fall to the ground by pushing.
The strong wind pushed over the old tree.
A bully pushed the little boy over on the playground.
push through
phrasal verbTo make something officially accepted or completed despite difficulties.
The senator pushed the bill through Congress.
She pushed through the pain to finish the race.
To be almost a particular age, usually 40 or 50 years old.
My aunt is pushing 50, but she still runs marathons.
Is your dad really pushing 60? He looks so young!
To be dead and buried in a grave.
After that accident, he's lucky not to be pushing up daisies.
If you drive that fast, you'll be pushing up daisies soon.
To react very suddenly and strongly to something that scares you.
When the stock market dropped, investors pressed the panic button.
Don't push the panic button just because you lost your keys.
To do exactly what is needed to make someone happy or satisfied.
The new restaurant pushes all the right buttons for food lovers.
Her speech pushed all the buttons, and the audience loved it.
push the boat out
idiomTo spend a lot of money to celebrate or enjoy yourself.
For their anniversary, they pushed the boat out and went to Paris.
We really pushed the boat out for my sister's wedding party.
To try to do things that are beyond what is normally allowed or possible.
The artist pushes the boundaries of traditional painting.
Maya pushes her limits by training for a triathlon.
push the envelope
idiomTo go beyond the usual limits of what is accepted or possible.
The designer pushes the envelope with her futuristic clothing.
In his latest film, the director pushes the envelope of special effects.
To take a risk because you have been lucky before, even though it might cause problems.
You already got an extension; don't push your luck asking for another.
He parked in a no-parking zone and got away with it, but he shouldn't push it.
To make someone lose control of their emotions or behavior, often after a series of bad events.
The constant criticism finally pushed him over the edge.
Losing her job pushed Sara to the edge, but she got help.
To react very suddenly and strongly to something that scares you.
When the fire alarm went off, everyone pushed the panic button.
Don't press the panic button; it's just a small problem.
To try to forget about something unpleasant or worrying.
She pushed her fear of flying to the back of her mind.
I pushed the bad news to the back of my mind and enjoyed the party.
push — noun
1. an act of pressing against someone or something with your hands, arms, or body,
an act of pressing against someone or something with your hands, arms, or body, so that they move away from you or into a different position
The car got stuck in the mud, so Niran asked his friend for a push.
collocation: give someone/something a push
One strong push from Rodrigo sent the door flying open.
The toddler needed a gentle push to get the swing moving.
collocation: gentle push / strong push
Harper gave the table a hard push to slide it against the wall.
- give a push
- a gentle push
- a hard push
- need a push
- pull
applying force to bring something towards you instead of away
Grammar Patterns
a push
give someone/something a push
Usage Note
Often used with 'give' in the pattern 'give [someone/something] a push'. The object of the push is usually a physical object, though it can also be a person needing help moving.
Common Mistakes
2. a planned, strong forward movement by a group of soldiers or other organized peo
a planned, strong forward movement by a group of soldiers or other organized people toward a specific place or position, often with the aim of taking control
The army made a final push toward the capital at dawn.
collocation: make a final push
The general ordered a push into enemy territory before the winter set in.
pattern: push into [place]
Both sides prepared for an autumn push that could decide the war.
A coordinated push by the allied forces broke through the front line.
- make a push
- a final push
- a major push
- push into
- push toward
- retreat
moving back from a position instead of advancing
Grammar Patterns
push into/toward [place]
make a push
Usage Note
Common in military history and strategy discussions. Often used with adjectives indicating timing ('spring push', 'final push') or scope ('major push', 'coordinated push').
3. a determined, organized effort by a company or group to gain an advantage over o
a determined, organized effort by a company or group to gain an advantage over others, especially by promoting a product, increasing sales, or entering a new market
The company launched a big push to sell its new fitness tracker in Asia.
collocation: a big push to sell
Meera led a marketing push that doubled the brand's online sales in three months.
The push for renewable energy has created thousands of new jobs in Taiwan.
pattern: push for [goal]
Lucía's push to expand into Latin America faced strong competition from local brands.
- a big push
- a marketing push
- a sales push
- push for
- push to
- drive
very similar, often used interchangeably; 'drive' may feel more energetic
- campaign
often more formal and planned over a longer period
- initiative
focuses on starting something new rather than pushing hard for it
Grammar Patterns
push for [goal]
a big push
Usage Note
Often followed by 'for' + goal or 'to' + infinitive. The subject is typically a company, organization, or government body. Overlaps with sense 5 (advertising) but is broader — it covers any determined business effort, not just advertising.
Common Mistakes
4. words, actions, or gentle pressure aimed at helping a hesitant person take actio
words, actions, or gentle pressure aimed at helping a hesitant person take action or make progress
Caleb just needed a little push from his teacher to start applying for scholarships.
collocation: a little push / a gentle push
Defne's friends gave her the push she needed to quit her boring job and travel.
pattern: give someone the push
The manager's speech was the push the team needed to finish the project on time.
Sometimes a child only needs a gentle push to try a new sport or hobby.
- a little push
- a gentle push
- need a push
- give someone a push
- a push in the right direction
- encouragement
softer, more supportive; less forceful than a push
- nudge
a very gentle reminder or suggestion
- motivation
internal drive; can be self-generated, unlike a push which comes from outside
- discouragement
actions or words that make someone less willing to try
Grammar Patterns
a push to do something
give someone a push
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (physical force) — in this sense, 'push' describes emotional or social pressure, not physical contact. Often used in the phrase 'a push in the right direction', meaning gentle guidance toward a good decision.
Common Mistakes
5. a large, concentrated advertising effort for a product or service, using multipl
a large, concentrated advertising effort for a product or service, using multiple channels to attract customers over a short period
The publisher gave the novel a big advertising push before the holiday season.
collocation: advertising push
Naoko's team planned a television and social media push for the new phone launch.
pattern: television push / social media push
The film's marketing push included billboards, online ads, and celebrity endorsements.
A summer push by the ice cream brand boosted sales by forty percent.
- advertising push
- marketing push
- a big push
- summer push
- promotional push
Grammar Patterns
a big push
an advertising push
Usage Note
Very close in meaning to sense 3 (BUSINESS CAMPAIGN), but this sense is narrower — it focuses specifically on advertising expenditure and media placement rather than the broader business strategy. Use this sense when the emphasis is on promotion and ads, not sales or market entry.
6. a short message sent automatically from a phone or computer app to a user's devi
a short message sent automatically from a phone or computer app to a user's device to alert them about new information, even when the app is not open
Erik turned off push notifications from his news app because they were too distracting.
pattern: push notifications from [app]
The weather app sent a push warning users about the approaching typhoon.
Madison checked her phone after feeling a buzz from a new push notification.
Users can choose which apps are allowed to send them push messages.
collocation: push notification / push message
- push notification
- push message
- turn off push
- send a push
- receive a push
- alert
more general; can be sound-based or visual, not necessarily a push message
- notification
any message from an app; a push is one specific type delivered automatically
Grammar Patterns
push notification
receive a push
Usage Note
Almost always used in the compound 'push notification' or informally shortened to just 'push'. The verb sense 7 ('to push information to a device') is the action behind this noun sense. Frequently discussed in phone settings menus.
Common Mistakes
7. a natural inner quality of wanting to succeed and being willing to work hard to
a natural inner quality of wanting to succeed and being willing to work hard to start new projects or achieve difficult goals
Aoi has the push to start her own café despite having very little money.
have the push to + infinitive for expressing determination
Without Baraka's push, the community garden project would have stopped long ago.
Gabriel's natural push helped his small team finish the building work ahead of time.
possessive + push + verb for showing drive leads to a result
Alessia showed remarkable push when she convinced three local shops to sell her handmade bags.
showed + adjective + push + when-clause for describing evidence of drive
- have the push
- lack push
- natural push
- show great push
- drive
more common in everyday speech; 'push' sounds slightly more energetic
- ambition
focuses on wanting success rather than the energy to pursue it
- initiative
emphasises the willingness to start things without being told
- enterprise
more formal; often used in business contexts
Grammar Patterns
have the push to + infinitive
possessive + push + verb
Usage Note
Unlike other noun senses about physical force or external encouragement, this sense refers to a person's inner drive. It is uncountable and typically appears in positive contexts about ambition and initiative.
Common Mistakes
at a push
idiomif something is possible but only with difficulty or by making a special effort; used to indicate that something is barely achievable
We can fit six people in the car at a push, but it will be very tight.
The report might be ready by Friday at a push, if everyone works late.
when a situation becomes very difficult or urgent and a decision or action can no longer be avoided
When push comes to shove, most people will choose their family over their career.
The negotiations seemed friendly, but when push came to shove, both sides refused to compromise.
a small amount of help, advice, or encouragement that helps someone make progress or improve their situation
Hassan's career only took off after a mentor gave him a push in the right direction.
The government grant was just the push in the right direction the startup needed to grow.
push — abbreviation
1. a short form that stands for a charity group whose mission is helping people in
a short form that stands for a charity group whose mission is helping people in need, especially through community-based aid efforts.
Gabriel volunteered with PUSH for three summers and helped build homes in rural villages.
PUSH as an organization name in volunteer context
Donations to PUSH fund food banks, health clinics, and school supplies for low-income families.
The newspaper ran a story about PUSH opening a new community centre in the city.
Otis joined a team from PUSH that delivered medical supplies after the earthquake.
PUSH response in disaster relief context
- volunteer with PUSH
- donate to PUSH
- PUSH programmes
- PUSH community centre
- work for PUSH
Word family
- pushyadjectiveB1
- pushernounB2
- pushovernounB2
- pushbacknounB1
- pushingadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words describe applying force, but they differ in intensity, direction, and context. Push (A2) is the most general word — it means pressing against something to move it, whether gently or firmly, and works for both physical and abstract uses. Shove (B1) is stronger and rougher, suggesting sudden or aggressive motion; you shove someone out of the way, but you would not shove a door gently open. Thrust (B1) implies a sudden, controlled forward motion, often with a specific purpose (thrust a key into a lock); it feels more formal and precise than push. Propel (B2) focuses on causing forward movement through an applied force, often mechanical or scientific (a rocket is propelled into space); it is less common for everyday pushing by hand. Urge (B1) belongs to the abstract sense of push (verb/4: URGE FORCEFULLY), meaning to strongly encourage or pressure someone, not physical force at all. For the physical sense (verb/1), choose push for everyday use, shove when the action is rough, thrust when it is precise and sudden, and propel when describing mechanical forward motion.
Common collocations
Phrases
- push the boundaries
- push the limits
- push an agenda
- push a product
- push the envelope
- push one's luck
- push for change
- push ahead
- push through
Etymology
The word "push" comes from Old French "pousser", meaning "to push, shove, or thrust." That word traces further back to Latin "pulsare", meaning "to strike, beat, or push repeatedly," which itself comes from "pellere", "to drive, push, or set in motion." The noun form emerged in English in the 1500s, and many figurative meanings (such as "to promote aggressively" or "inner drive") developed over the following centuries.