rush
rush — verb
1. To go somewhere or send someone or something somewhere very quickly, especially
To go somewhere or send someone or something somewhere very quickly, especially when time is short and you cannot wait.
Tamar rushed to the train station, hoping she would not miss the last train.
intransitive: rush + to + place for urgent movement
Paramedics rushed the injured driver to the city hospital after the accident.
transitive: rush + object + to + place
Jin tried to rush through his breakfast, but his little sister kept talking.
Water rushed down the street after the pipe burst during the night.
inanimate subject: liquid rushing through a space
Don't rush into buying a house before you have seen enough properties.
rush + into + -ing for hasty action
- rush headlong
- rush madly
- rush blindly
- rush to conclusions
- rush to judgement
Grammar Patterns
rush + to/toward/into + place
rush + object + to + place
rush + through + task
rush + into + -ing form
rush + to + infinitive
Usage Note
Can describe both people moving and things flowing (water, air). The pattern 'rush + into + verb-ing' warns against acting without enough thought.
Common Mistakes
2. To charge quickly and forcefully toward a person, group, or place in order to at
To charge quickly and forcefully toward a person, group, or place in order to attack, capture, or overwhelm them.
Stefan's unit received orders to rush the fortified hill before sunrise.
transitive with military target
Demonstrators rushed the front of the city hall, demanding new elections.
Excited fans rushed the basketball court after the team won the final game.
non-military usage: fans rushing a sports field
Paloma warned the children not to rush the stage during the school concert.
- rush the stage
- rush the field
- rush the barricades
- rush the gates
- retreat
to move away from danger or an enemy
Grammar Patterns
rush + object (enemy/target/location)
Usage Note
Describes a group suddenly charging a target — can be military (attack enemy) or non-military (fans storming a field). Not used for single, planned attacks.
Common Mistakes
3. A term used in American football for running forward with the ball to gain groun
A term used in American football for running forward with the ball to gain ground, or for charging the ball carrier to stop a play.
The running back rushed for over one hundred yards in the big game last Sunday.
rush for + distance (offensive)
Two defenders rushed the quarterback before he could throw the ball downfield.
rush the + player (defensive)
Dario practiced every day to improve his ability to rush for short gains.
The coach told the line to block harder so the runner could rush freely.
- rush the quarterback
- rush the passer
- rush for yards
- rush the ball
- run the ball
general term for carrying the ball on the ground
- carry the ball
describes the physical action specifically
- pass the ball
to throw the ball instead of running with it
Grammar Patterns
rush for + distance (yards)
rush the + player (quarterback/passer/kicker)
rush + the ball
Usage Note
In American football, 'rush' covers both offensive plays (carrying the ball forward) and defensive plays (charging at the quarterback or kicker to stop a pass or kick).
Common Mistakes
4. A tradition at certain US universities where students visit fraternities and sor
A tradition at certain US universities where students visit fraternities and sororities to find one to join, while the groups try to attract and recruit those students.
Lucía decided to rush three different sororities during her first semester at college.
rush + sorority (student seeking membership)
The fraternity actively rushed new members by hosting parties and study sessions on campus.
transitive: rush + new members (group recruiting)
Wren was nervous about rush week, not knowing what to expect from the process.
Christopher chose not to rush any fraternity because he preferred to focus on his studies.
- rush a fraternity
- rush a sorority
- rush week
- get rushed
Grammar Patterns
rush + fraternity/sorority
get + rushed
Usage Note
This sense is specific to the US college Greek system (fraternities for men, sororities for women). 'Rush week' is the period when recruitment events happen. Can describe the student's action (joining) or the group's action (recruiting).
Common Mistakes
rush out
phrasal verbTo produce or release something very quickly, often without enough care.
The publisher rushed out the book to meet the deadline.
Did the studio rush out that movie before it was ready?
rush through
phrasal verbTo complete or deal with something very quickly, sometimes ignoring proper procedures.
The committee rushed through the proposal without proper review.
Brian rushed through his homework so he could play video games.
To be extremely busy with many tasks to do.
During the holiday sale, the cashiers were rushed off their feet.
After the baby arrived, Maya was run off her feet all day.
Inexperienced people often attempt difficult or dangerous things that wiser people avoid.
He invested in that risky startup without research; fools rush in.
Sara tried to fix the wiring herself, proving fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
rush — noun
1. a situation where you need to act or move quickly, often because time is short
a situation where you need to act or move quickly, often because time is short
Tariq was in such a rush to catch the bus that he left his lunch on the kitchen counter.
in a rush to do something
Why was everyone in such a rush to leave the party before midnight?
The rush to finish the project before the deadline led to several small but costly errors.
a rush to finish something — purpose expressed by infinitive
Sirin told her son there was no rush to choose a university — he could decide next year.
there is no rush (common negative expression)
- in a rush
- a rush to do something
- no rush
- such a rush
Grammar Patterns
in a rush
a rush to do something
there is no rush
Usage Note
Often used in the fixed phrase 'in a rush' to describe a hurried state, or in 'there is no rush' to reassure someone. The sentence follows 'a rush to + infinitive' to state the purpose of the hurry.
Common Mistakes
2. a period marked by high activity or demand, when many people are doing or seekin
a period marked by high activity or demand, when many people are doing or seeking the same thing at once
The Christmas rush at the shopping centre means long queues at every checkout counter.
the [event] rush — specific busy period
Soraya always avoids the lunch rush by eating her meal before eleven in the morning.
The recent rush for concert tickets crashed the booking website within minutes of the sale.
a rush for [something] — sudden demand
During the morning rush on the subway, passengers often wait for two or three trains before they can board.
A rush on face masks and hand sanitiser emptied pharmacy shelves within just a few days.
a rush on [product] — sudden surge in demand
- Christmas rush
- lunch rush
- morning rush
- rush hour
- rush for
- rush on
Grammar Patterns
the [time/event] rush
a rush on [product/service]
rush for [something]
Usage Note
Typically appears with a preceding noun that identifies the type of busy period (e.g., 'Christmas rush', 'lunch rush', 'morning rush'). 'Rush hour' is a distinct fixed compound for the busiest commuting times.
Common Mistakes
3. a fast, often unexpected movement from one place toward another
a fast, often unexpected movement from one place toward another
The children made a rush for the door when the school bell rang at the end of class.
make a rush for [place]
A sudden rush of cold water poured out when Dahlia turned on the old garden tap.
Samir felt a rush of wind as the express train sped past him on the platform.
a rush of [element] — sudden physical movement of air/water
There was a mad rush towards the exits when the fire alarm went off in the theatre.
- make a rush for
- rush of air
- rush of water
- mad rush
Grammar Patterns
a rush of [air/water]
make a rush for [place/person]
Usage Note
Often followed by 'of' and a noun describing what is moving (air, water, people). 'Make a rush for' is a common verb–noun collocation.
4. a large number of people moving to a place at the same time, usually for economi
a large number of people moving to a place at the same time, usually for economic reasons or opportunity
The California gold rush of 1849 brought thousands of miners to the western United States.
[place] rush — a historical mass migration
The technology boom created a rush of young engineers moving to the city for new jobs.
Madison's small hometown saw a rush of new residents after the car factory announced it was hiring.
a rush of [people] — sudden influx
The rush to buy land in the area pushed property prices far higher than anyone had expected.
- gold rush
- land rush
- rush of people
- rush to
Grammar Patterns
[place/commodity] rush
a rush of [people]
a rush to [location]
Usage Note
Often seen in historical compounds like 'gold rush' or 'land rush'. The pattern 'a rush to [location]' emphasises the destination people are heading to.
5. a running play in the sport of American football in which the ball carrier advan
a running play in the sport of American football in which the ball carrier advances upfield, or a defensive charge where players sprint toward the quarterback to stop the pass
The running back gained fourteen yards on that rush and set up the team for a touchdown.
Élise's quick rush on the quarterback forced him to throw the ball early and miss the receiver.
a rush on the quarterback — defensive play
The coach called a rush up the middle, hoping to gain at least three yards before fourth down.
His powerful rush past the offensive line gave the defence the sack they needed to stop the drive.
a rush past [opponents] — offensive running play
- make a rush
- rush on the quarterback
- rush up the middle
- quarterback rush
- running play
a broader term that covers any offensive play where the ball is carried rather than thrown
- charge
used in other sports for a forceful forward movement; less specific to American football
Grammar Patterns
[player] makes a rush
a rush on the quarterback
Usage Note
This sense is specifically American and relates strictly to gridiron football. In the noun form, 'rush' can refer to either an offensive running play or a defensive charge at the passer.
Common Mistakes
6. an intense feeling, either emotional or physical, that arrives without warning a
an intense feeling, either emotional or physical, that arrives without warning and passes quickly
Adina felt a rush of excitement when she heard her name announced as the winner of the prize.
a rush of [emotion] — sudden emotional experience
A rush of anger swept through Yuki when she discovered that someone had stolen her bicycle.
The roller coaster gave Marta a rush of adrenaline that stayed with her for the rest of the day.
Mert felt a sudden rush of dizziness and had to sit down on the nearest bench to recover.
a rush of [physical sensation] — sudden bodily feeling
Some people enjoy the rush they get from extreme sports such as skydiving or rock climbing.
- rush of excitement
- rush of anger
- rush of adrenaline
- rush of dizziness
- feel a rush
- adrenaline rush
- surge
very similar in meaning; 'surge' often implies a slower build-up, while 'rush' is more instantaneous
- thrill
focuses on the pleasurable aspect of the feeling; 'thrill' is usually positive
- adrenaline rush
a fixed compound for the physical sensation of excitement in high-energy situations
Grammar Patterns
a rush of [emotion/sensation]
feel a rush of [something]
Usage Note
Frequently followed by 'of' and a noun naming the specific emotion or sensation (excitement, anger, adrenaline, dizziness). Can also be used alone ('the rush of skydiving') as a shorthand for the pleasurable thrill.
Common Mistakes
7. a type of tall, thin plant that grows in wet ground near ponds, streams, and mar
a type of tall, thin plant that grows in wet ground near ponds, streams, and marshes, with long hollow stems that are dried and used for weaving mats, baskets, and furniture seats.
Hui wove a mat from rushes that she found near the lake.
The chair seat was made of dried rushes twisted tightly together.
dried rushes used for furniture
Ryo showed the class how to weave a basket from fresh rush stems.
Rushes grow along the edge of the stream behind the old barn.
Otis cut some rushes from the marsh to make a new basket.
rushes as weaving material
- dried rushes
- woven rushes
- rush mat
- rush seat
- rush basket
- cut rushes
- bundle of rushes
Usage Note
This meaning of rush is a different word from the one meaning 'hurry' — they are homonyms with separate origins. The plural form 'rushes' is common when referring to the plant material itself.
8. the first printed copies of a film or video that are watched right after filming
the first printed copies of a film or video that are watched right after filming, before any editing is done, so that the director and editor can check the quality of each scene.
The director watched the morning rushes with the editor to check each shot.
rushes reviewed after filming
Ayana looked at the rushes to see if the lighting was good in every scene.
Noor asked the assistant to bring the rushes from yesterday's beach scene.
The producer sat behind the editor while they watched the day's rushes.
day's rushes watched by production team
Samir marked the best takes while looking at the rushes on the big screen.
- watch the rushes
- review the rushes
- daily rushes
- morning rushes
- screen the rushes
- dailies
a more common term in the US film industry; 'rushes' is used more in British and international production
- final cut
the finished, edited version of the film
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural form 'rushes' rather than 'rush.' This term is specific to film, television, and video production contexts.
9. a period of social events at some US universities during which students visit di
a period of social events at some US universities during which students visit different fraternity or sorority houses to meet members and decide which group to join.
Min signed up for rush during her first week at the university.
sign up for rush
During rush week, each fraternity holds parties to meet new students.
Niran decided not to join rush because he preferred to focus on his classes.
The sorority prepared a welcome dinner for the women going through rush.
going through rush
Stephanie asked her roommate about rush before deciding to take part.
- rush week
- go through rush
- sign up for rush
- rush party
- join rush
- participate in rush
Usage Note
This use of rush is specific to US college culture involving fraternities and sororities. The term often appears in capitalized phrases such as 'Rush Week' and is not used in the same way outside of North America.
rush — adjective
1. needing to be done or delivered very quickly because time is limited
needing to be done or delivered very quickly because time is limited
After the team outgrew their uniforms, Rodrigo placed a rush order for new ones.
collocation: rush order (attributive adjective)
The print shop charged extra for a rush job that had to be ready by Friday.
collocation: rush job
Traffic is heaviest during rush hour, so Allison leaves for work before dawn.
collocation: rush hour (fixed time phrase)
Paying a higher fee for rush delivery, Vivek got the parts the next morning.
A rush fee is charged when clients want their documents done faster than normal.
passive: be charged for fee/service
- rush job
- rush order
- rush delivery
- rush fee
- rush hour
- standard
describes the usual speed with no special urgency or extra fee involved
Grammar Patterns
rush + noun
Usage Note
Primarily used before a noun (attributive). Common in business contexts for jobs, orders, or deliveries that need a fast turnaround. Does not normally appear after a linking verb.
Common Mistakes
rush — idiom
1. the surname of Benjamin Rush (1745–1813), an American doctor, writer, and politi
the surname of Benjamin Rush (1745–1813), an American doctor, writer, and political leader who signed the Declaration of Independence and worked to improve public health and education in the early United States.
Professor Selim's students read a letter written by Benjamin Rush about smallpox prevention.
Benjamin Rush stayed in Philadelphia to treat the sick during the yellow fever outbreak of 1793.
historical setting — yellow fever outbreak
The library has a collection of Benjamin Rush's writings on mental health and medical reform.
collocation: writings on + topic
Historians credit Benjamin Rush with helping to found the first American medical school.
Minho's essay compared Benjamin Rush's views on education with those of Thomas Jefferson.
collocation: compare views with [person]
- surname of
- writings of
- scholarship named after
- credited with
Grammar Patterns
Rush (referring to Benjamin Rush)
Usage Note
This is not a figurative idiom but a proper-noun reference to a specific historical figure. The name 'Rush' appears in historical texts, biographies, and discussions of early American medicine and politics. Learners will most often encounter it in passages about the founding of the United States.
Benjamin Rush
idiomBenjamin Rush (1745–1813) was an American doctor, writer, and political leader who signed the Declaration of Independence and is remembered for his work in public health, medical education, and the treatment of mental illness.
Professor Selim's students read a letter written by Benjamin Rush about smallpox prevention.
Benjamin Rush stayed in Philadelphia to treat the sick during the yellow fever outbreak of 1793.
Word family
- rushedadjectiveB1
- rushingadjectiveB1
- rushernounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words describe moving quickly, but they differ in intensity, duration, and the reason for speed. 'Hurry' is the most neutral and general — you hurry because you are late or want to finish something ('She hurried to finish her homework before dinner'). 'Rush' carries a stronger sense of urgency or pressure, often with an emotional charge or the risk of carelessness ('He rushed to the hospital after hearing the news'). 'Dash' implies a short, sudden burst of speed in one specific direction, usually covering a short distance ('I dashed across the street to catch the bus'). 'Scurry' suggests quick, light steps, often used for small creatures or people moving in a busy, fussy way ('The children scurried around the kitchen getting their lunches ready'). Choose 'hurry' for everyday fast movement, 'rush' when pressure or panic is involved, 'dash' for a brief sprint, and 'scurry' for fussy, busy movement.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'rush' meaning 'hurry, move quickly' comes from Old English ryscan, meaning 'to drive back, push, or repel,' from Proto-West Germanic *rūskijan. This sense is related to Middle Dutch rūschen and Old High German rūsken (to rush, move swiftly). The plant sense of 'rush' (a marsh plant of the genus Juncus) has a completely different origin — it comes from Old English rȳsċ or risċ, from Proto-West Germanic *rauskī, akin to similar words for marsh plants in other Germanic and Celtic languages. These two words happen to share the same spelling in modern English but are unrelated homonyms — one meaning 'hurried action' and the other 'a waterside plant used for weaving.'