push1 verbpush2 noun
pushpush1 /pʊʃ/ ●●● S1 W1 verb 
WORD ORIGINpush1
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French poulser ‘to hit, push’, from Latin pulsare, from pellere ‘to drive, hit’VERB TABLE
push
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | push |
| he, she, it | pushes | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | pushed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have pushed |
| he, she, it | has pushed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had pushed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will push |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have pushed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am pushing |
| he, she, it | is pushing | |
| you, we, they | are pushing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was pushing |
| you, we, they | were pushing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been pushing |
| he, she, it | has been pushing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been pushing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be pushing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been pushing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Who was at the door?" "It was some guy pushing magazine subscriptions."
- Pushing his plate to one side he called for the waiter.
- Animal-rights groups are pushing to ban the capture of dolphins.
- Anyone caught pushing heroin or cocaine is given a long prison sentence.
- Are you sure you want to marry me? I don't want to push you into anything.
- Can you tell the people at the back of the queue to stop pushing!
- Coach Koepple pushes his players pretty hard.
- Don't let them push you into a making a decision before you're ready.
- He pushed his way through the crowd.
- I got tired of Robin pushing her environmental agenda at the office.
- It's still stuck - you'll have to push harder.
- Mum, William pushed me!
- My parents keep pushing me to get a good job.
- Paul held the door open for a woman pushing a trolley of heavy books.
- Revlon is really pushing its new range of beauty creams.
- She pushed past me to the front of the line.
- She pushed the table into a corner of the classroom.
- Shoppers were pushing their carts around the supermarket.
- The car had run out of gas so they pushed it into a side-street.
- There's no need to push. There are enough tickets for everyone.
- Cursing, he began cutting it up, pushing the shorter strands on to his spoon.
- His back was pushed against the wall as a youth set about him.
- Mallachy, indeed, was inclined to push his luck with Rory.
- She pushed open the door to the sitting-room.
- She raised her eyes heavenwards and pushed by him.
- She was part of the first generation that really pushed the whole idea of reconciliation.
- The Woman pushed at the door, behind Doyle's chair, and when he moved sideways she stepped in.
THESAURUS
to make something or someone move by pressing them with your hands, arms etc: · Push the door, don’t pull it.· She pushed him away and walked out.
to push someone or something in a rough or careless way: · People were shoving to get to the front of the queue.· Tom shoved his suitcase under the bed.
informal to push something quickly and carelessly into a small space: · She stuffed a few clothes into a bag and left.
to push someone or something with your finger or something sharp: · I poked the snake with a stick but it was dead.
to push someone beside you gently with your elbow to get their attention: · Toby nudged me and pointed out of the window.
to push something round or something on wheels so that it moves forward: · They rolled the logs down the hill.· The car still didn’t start so we tried to roll it off the road.
to push something with wheels, for example a bicycle or a trolley, so that it moves forward, while guiding it with your hands: · Rob wheeled his bike round the back of the house.
Longman Language Activatorto push something or someone to push something or someone, especially with your hands, so that they move away from you: · We pushed as hard as we could, but we couldn't get the bus to move.· Mum, William pushed me!push something/somebody to/into/from etc something: · She pushed the table into a corner of the classroom.· Pushing his plate to one side he called for the waiter.· Witnesses had seen the man push Mrs Cooper off the bridge into the canal.
to push something or someone once, so that you force them to move: · "Go away!" she said, giving him a push.· He reached out and gave the door a gentle push.
informal to push something or someone, using your hands or shoulders, in a rough or careless way: · The children were all pushing and shoving each other.shove somebody/something against/aside/under etc something: · One of the soldiers shoved her roughly against the wall.· Tom shoved his suitcase under the bed.· Armed police shoved the protestors aside to make way for the president's car.
to push something or someone suddenly and strongly to force them to move: · If the door won't open just give it a shove.· "Mind your own business!" said Graham, giving me a shove.
to push someone along roughly in order to make them move forward quickly: hustle somebody out/into etc: · Two policemen quickly appeared and hustled him out.· Martin seized her arm and hustled her away.· The two men were hustled into a police van and driven away.
to quickly push someone or something into something such as a car, a bag, or a cupboard, for example because you are in a hurry or you want to hide something: · Her friends managed to get her out of the pub and bundled her home.bundle somebody/something into something: · He had been bundled into the back of a Volkswagen by three masked men.· I collected up the dirty washing and bundled it into the washing machine.
to move someone who does not want to move or something that is difficult to move by holding on to them and pushing them roughly: manhandle somebody/something into/out/towards etc: · The soldiers were manhandling two men into the yard.· The gang manhandled the stolen trailer through a gap in the fence.
to push something that has wheels or rolls easily · Paul held the door open for a woman pushing a trolley of heavy books.push something in/around etc something · Shoppers were pushing their carts around the supermarket.· The car had run out of gas so they pushed it into a side-street.
to push something with wheels while holding it with your hands: wheel somebody/something out/into/down etc: · As I arrived she was just wheeling her bicycle out of the shed.· I collected a trolley and wheeled it towards the frozen food section.· She hated being wheeled round in a wheelchair.
to push a round object along so that it turns over and over and moves forward: roll something up/down etc something: · We had so much fun rolling stones down into the river.
to push something heavy that has wheels, slowly and with difficulty: trundle something in/along etc: · The porters were trundling barrows loaded with vegetables into the market.· The soldiers trundled the massive gun carriage along the road.
to push someone or something with your finger, elbow, or with something pointed to gently push someone with your elbow to get their attention, especially when you do not want anyone else to notice: · Toby nudged my arm. "That's the guy I told you about," he whispered.· Christine nudged me and giggled.
to push someone or something with your finger or with something sharp: · The boys poked the fish with sticks to see if it was still alivepoke somebody in the eye/side/ribs: · Careful with that stick! You nearly poked me in the eye.
to gently push someone or something, using your finger or something such as a stick: · Sergeant Thompson raised his stick and prodded the soldier in the chest.· They walked around him, prodding and pinching him.
to suddenly push your finger or elbow into someone's body, to get their attention or tell them something: · Jenny dug me sharply in the ribs and told me to be quiet.· Edward laughed loudly, digging me in the ribs, wanting me to share the joke.
to push an object into an opening or into something soft to push a sharp object into something soft, or push something into a small space: stick something into/up/inside etc something: · They stuck pins into a map to show where the enemy's camps were.· The doctor had to stick a tube down my throat in order to examine my stomach.
to push something into a small space using a lot of strength: force something into/through/down something: · She tried to force her feet into the shoes but they were too small.· I finally managed to force the package through the small letterbox.
informal to push something quickly and carelessly into a small space: shove/stuff something into/up/down etc: · She shoved two more sweaters into her bag.· He quickly stuffed the letter down the side of the sofa.
to push something very hard or violently into something: ram something into something: · She rammed the papers into her briefcase.· Construction workers had to spend the night ramming iron girders into place to support the building.
to push something deep inside another thing, especially violently or suddenly: plunge something into something: · Plunging both hands deep into the sack she rummaged among the parcels.· Then he plunged the knife into his victim's chest.
to push something suddenly and hard into an opening or into something soft: thrust something into something: · He thrust the knife deep into the animal's chest.· Thrusting the gun back into its holster, the man grinned at the body lying on the floor.· He thrust some money into my hand and told me to drive him to the airport.
to push something with difficulty into a space that is too small: squeeze something into something: · I don't think I can squeeze any more files into this drawer.· It's no use trying to squeeze yourself into clothes that are too small for you.
to push something forcefully into a small space, so that it fits tightly and is difficult to pull out again: jam something under/into etc something: · Just hold the door open while I jam a wedge under it.· Kelly poured himself another glass of wine and jammed the cork back into the bottle.
to push people in order to move forward to push people, especially in a crowd, in order to move past them or in order to make them move: · Can you tell the people at the back of the queue to stop pushing!push your way through/into etc: · He pushed his way through the crowd.push past: · She pushed past me to the front of the line.
to push people in a rough and careless way with your hands, arms, or shoulders in order to move forward or past people: · The people moved forward towards the food, pushing and shoving to get there first.shove your way through/into etc: · Peter shoved his way through the dense crowd in search of his son.shove past: · Robert shoved past the others and made his way to the front of the room.
to move forward so fast and forcefully that you push someone as you pass them: barge into: · She just barged into me, without even apologizing.barge past: · A woman carrying a large basket barged past me to the front of the line.
to push hard in order to go somewhere when your way is blocked: force your way through: · He forced his way through the dense crowd.force your way into: · Police forced their way into the flat and arrested two men.
to push against one person or several people so that you knock them to one side, especially in order to reach a place or get something before they do: jostle for: · Passengers were jostling each other at the news kiosk for the last remaining copies of the evening paper.jostle to do something: · The children moved forward, jostling to get to the front and see the magician.
to push with your elbows in order to move past people: elbow your way through/into etc: · She elbowed her way through the crowd.elbow somebody aside/elbow somebody to one side: · Craig elbowed me aside roughly.· Elbowing me to one side, he took hold of the microphone.
to push in order to move forward with the rest of the crowd: press forward/round etc: · As the race started the crowd pressed forward towards the track.· The security men tried to hold back crowds of reporters pressing round the President's car.
to push something to operate a machine: push/press a button to push something that makes a machine operate: · It's very simple - you put the paper in and push a button, and the computer does the rest for you.· She pressed the button and the machine started to whirr.
to advertise something to tell people publicly about a product or service in order to try to persuade them to buy it, for example by showing short films on television, or by showing pictures with words in newspapers and magazines: · There was a big poster advertising a well-known brand of cola.· We are a small business so we can only afford to advertise in the local press.be advertised on TV/on the radio: · "How did you find out about the new software?" "It was advertised on TV."be advertised in a newspaper/magazine etc: · The concert was advertised in all the national newspapers.be heavily advertised (=be advertised a lot): · Young smokers tend to buy the brands that are most heavily advertised.
to try to make people buy a new product, see a new film etc, for example by selling it at a lower price or talking about it on television: · Meg Ryan is in Europe to promote her new movie.· To promote their new shampoo, they are selling it at half price for a month.promote something as something: · They're trying to promote Dubai as a tourist destination.
also publicise British to tell the public about a situation, event, organization, problem by advertising, writing, or speaking about it on television, in newspapers etc: · Hollywood gossips were saying that the studio lacked the funds to publicize its new film properly.· A good estate agent will know the best ways to publicize the fact that your home is for sale.· A series of articles and television shows publicized concerns that the chemical Alar, used to keep apples red and firm, could cause cancer.well-/highly/widely/much publicized (=publicized a lot): · Jurors were asked what they knew about the highly publicized case.
to try to sell a product or service by deciding which type of people are likely to buy it and by making it attractive and interesting to them: · In order to market a product well, you need to be aware of public demand.· The company has exclusive European rights to market the new software.
informal to try to make people interested in a product, entertainer, film etc, using television, radio, and newspapers - use this to show that you do not trust this kind of information: · Like most Hollywood movies it was so hyped up that when I saw it I was completely disappointed.· The cosmetics industry is usually quick to hype its new products.
informal also give something a plug especially British informal to try to persuade people to buy a book, see a film etc, by talking about it publicly, especially on television or radio: · The only reason she agreed to be interviewed was to plug her new record.· The author used the opportunity of appearing on TV to give his latest book a plug.
to encourage people to buy something: · There's no question about it - scandal sells newspapers.sell something to somebody: · It's not just a question of making a good product - we also have to go out and sell it to people.
informal to try to sell more of a product or service by advertising it a lot: · Revlon is really pushing its new range of beauty creams.
to deliberately make someone fall to push or hit someone hard, so that they fall to the ground: knock somebody over/down: · Careful where you're going! You nearly knocked me over!· In the rush to get out of the building, she was knocked down.knock down/over somebody: · Some of the bigger boys purposely knock over the smaller ones.
also trip up British to make someone fall or almost fall by putting your foot or another object in their way: · One of the runners claimed she had been tripped.trip somebody up: · One man tripped me up and the other one grabbed my handbag.
to deliberately push someone with your hand so that they fall to the ground: · Another little kid came and pushed him over onto the grass.
to hit someone so hard that they lose their balance and fall to the ground: · A teenage boy knocked him to the ground and ran off with his briefcase.
to force someone to do something · You don't have to come if you don't want to. Nobody's forcing you.force somebody to do something · Women's organizations are trying to force the government to appoint more women to senior positions.force somebody into doing something · Her parents are trying to force her into marrying a man she hardly knows.force somebody into something · I had never thought of buying an insurance policy, and I wasn't going to be forced into it by some young salesman.force somebody out of · Eddie feels that he was forced out of his job in order to make way for a younger man.
to force someone to do something that they do not want to do. Make is less formal than force: · I really didn't want to go, but she made me.make somebody do something: · I wanted to watch the film, but Dad made me do my homework.· Karen made him promise never to discuss the subject again.
to keep trying to persuade someone to do something, for example by saying that it is their duty or that it will help other people: put pressure on somebody to do something: · Our parents were putting pressure on us to get married.· Advertising puts pressure on parents to work long hours, in order to buy things that their children don't need.
also pressurise British, /pressure American to try to make someone do something by persuading them very strongly and making them feel that they should do it: · I'll get this done as soon as I can -- just don't pressure me, OK!· If she feels you're trying to pressurize her, she won't do it.pressurize/pressure somebody into doing something: · School children are often pressurized into studying very hard from an early age by their parents.· The committee pressured him into resigning.pressure somebody to do something: · Her boyfriend is pressuring her to have an abortion.
to strongly encourage someone to do something: push somebody to do something: · My parents keep pushing me to get a good job.push somebody into doing something: · Don't let them push you into a making a decision before you're ready.push somebody into something: · Are you sure you want to marry me? I don't want to push you into anything.
to force someone to do what you want them to do by repeatedly asking them to do it until they finally agree: · The salesman tried browbeating me but it didn't work.browbeat somebody into (doing) something: · The miners were browbeaten into working in a part of the mine that the company knew to be dangerous.· I really didn't want to make this speech -- I was browbeaten into it by my colleagues.
an attempt to force someone to do something, by making them feel guilty for not doing it: · She's always using emotional blackmail and playing on other people's feelings.· Any relationship that has to depend on emotional blackmail can't be a healthy one.
informal if someone is breathing down your neck about something, they keep asking you to do it in order to make you do it sooner: · I'm already really busy today, and now Paul's breathing down my neck saying he wants the Paris deal completed.have somebody breathing down your neck: · We'd better start sending out those letters soon -- I've had the sales manager breathing down my neck about it all week.
informal to be trying to make someone do something they do not want to do, especially by telling them several times to do it: · Nick knew that the coach would be on his back if he missed another training session.be on sb's back about: · Aunt Mimi was always on his back about him "wasting time playing that silly guitar".
to make a number or amount increase · High alcohol consumption increases the risk of liver disease. · The Clean Air Act would increase the cost of electric power in the Midwest.· The party aims to increase the number of women elected to Congress.· We reduced the size of the magazine because we didn't want to increase the price.increase something to · The company has increased its workforce to 1,500 employeesincrease something by 20%/$400/1 million etc · a program to increase output by 14%
if someone raises raises a tax, price, temperature etc, they increase it: · The president should take the necessary steps of raising taxes and cutting public spending.· All the major airlines have raised their fares.raise something to $300/40C/200 etc: · The retirement age has been raised to 65 for both men and women.
informal if someone puts up the cost or price of something, they increase it: put up something: · They've put up the price of petrol again.put something up: · A solicitor can advise whether the landlord has a right to put the rent up.· This used to be quite a cheap restaurant but they've put their prices up since the last time I came here.
informal to increase prices or amounts by a large amount, especially when this seems unreasonable: jack something up: · I guess they must jack the price up in the summer, then mark it down in the winter. jack up something: · a proposal that would have jacked up taxi fares by as much as 30%
to make something increase - use this about things you would prefer to keep low, such as costs and prices: push/drive/force up something: · An expansion of the weapons research program is sure to drive up defence costs.· In recent years, increased demand has forced up the price of copper on world markets.push/force/drive something up: · Office vacancy rates have reached a low, pushing rents up sharply for office and industrial space.
to increase something such as production, sales, or wages because they are not as high as you want them to be: · The plan was meant to boost agricultural production.· The multi-million dollar ad campaign has failed to boost sales.· Greater consumer access to the Internet has boosted electronic retailing.
to increase a number or amount by two, three, or four times: · The company has quadrupled Sonia's salary in just three years in recognition of her achievements.· The government doubled the sales tax on cigarettes from 20% to 40%.
also maximise British to make something such as profit, power, or productivity increase to the highest level that you can achieve: · The bank's function is to maximize profits, and that requires some risk-taking.· To maximise power output, solar panels are placed on the highest part of the building.
to do something that involves unnecessary risks to stupidly do something that is almost certain to be dangerous or cause trouble: · Anyone who buys second-hand car tires is just asking for trouble.· You need to have a good knowledge of the industry before you buy stocks, or you're asking for trouble.
especially written if you invite trouble, criticism, attack etc, you do something that seems likely to cause you trouble or that encourages people to criticize you, attack you etc: · If you don't maintain your car regularly, you're just inviting trouble.· Not to provide aid will just invite further catastrophe in the area.
informal to do something that involves a risk of failure, because you have been successful when you have done it before: · I think I'd be pushing my luck if I asked him to babysit again on such short notice.· Twelve months later, the captain of Sea Rover pushed his luck once too often.
to do something that involves unnecessary risk, because you are too confident that there will be no problems: · It would be tempting fate to travel without a spare wheel.· By building houses in the steep canyons, Californians are tempting fate in the form of mudslides and fires.
to stupidly take a risk, especially by doing something or getting involved in a situation that is likely to have a very unpleasant result: · The government was warned it was playing with fire by arresting so-called "separatist" leaders.· Anyone who gets involved with a married man is playing with fire.
to sell illegal goods to sell illegal drugs to people: · The gang earned as much as $10 million a month peddling heroin and cocaine.peddle something to somebody: · Stricter punishments will be given to those convicted of peddling drugs to children.
to buy and sell illegal goods such as drugs or weapons: · The police suspect him of dealing in stolen goods.· Police believe Fry was dealing in narcotics.· The article accuses Davis of dealing in arms.
informal to sell illegal drugs, especially to people who are trying them for the first time, to make them want more: · Anyone caught pushing heroin or cocaine is given a long prison sentence.
selling large quantities of illegal drugs or taking them into another country in order to sell them: · In Thailand the penalty for drug trafficking is death.· Customs officials claim to have uncovered a major drug-trafficking ring.trafficking in: · The two girls were arrested for trafficking in hard drugs.
the system by which people illegally buy and sell goods or foreign money, especially for high prices, often because these things are difficult to obtain legally: · Authorities are worried about the growing black market in the city.on the black market: · You can get a much better rate for your dollar on the black market than in a bank.black market in: · The immigration service is concerned about a thriving black market in phoney ID cards and working permits.
to close a door, window, gate etc to move a door, window, gate etc so that it is no longer open: · Come in and shut the door behind you.· Someone had shut the gate to stop the sheep getting out onto the road.· She heard Charlotte downstairs shutting the windows, and locking up for the night.
to shut something, especially in a careful way: · Do you mind if I close the window?· She took the necklace out of the box and closed the lid.
to shut a door quickly so that it makes a loud noise, especially because you are angry: · Jane marched out of the room slamming the door behind her.· He slammed the door so hard that the glass cracked.
to push, kick, slide etc something so that it shuts: · The woman pushed the door shut with her foot.· It started raining, so I quickly pulled the window shut.· "Sorry, we're closed,'' said the official, sliding the wooden panel shut.
to move a door so that it is almost shut: · "Tell me what's wrong,'' I said, pulling the door to.· She pushed the door to against the blinding sunlight.
to close curtains by pulling them across a window: · Let's draw the curtains. We don't want people looking in.· The curtains were closed and the room was in darkness.
to switch something off to make something stop working, for example by pressing a button - use this about things that use electricity, for example, lights, televisions, or computers: switch off something: · Always switch off your computer when you've finished.switch something off: · It's OK - I switched the TV off before I went out.
to make something stop working, for example by pressing a button or turning a tap - use this about things that use electricity, gas, or water: turn off something: · Would you turn off the heater before you go to bed?turn something off: · You forgot to turn the oven off!
to make an engine or a machine stop working: · George stopped the engine and got out of the car.· We had to stop the pump and unblock it.
to press a button that makes a machine stop: · If you want it to stop, just press the red button.
to switch a light off: put out something: · Norma put out the light and went to sleep.put something out: · Could you put the lamp out in the bedroom, please?
to make a light stop working by pressing a button: · Don't forget to turn out the lights when you go to bed, okay Annie?
if you shut off or shut down a machine, you make it stop operating: · The computer automatically shuts off the pump when no water is flowing.· The Department of Energy shut down the reactor because of safety considerations.
to remove the thing that connects a piece of electrical equipment to the main electricity supply, so that it is no longer connected to it: · Did you remember to unplug the kettle?· I was getting a lot of crank calls, so I started unplugging my phone at night.
formal to separate a piece of equipment from the main electricity or gas supply so that it is no longer connected to it: · Once a car has started, the engine would continue to run even if you disconnected the battery.
to switch something on to make something start working, for example by pressing a button - use this about things that use electricity, for example lights, televisions, or computers: switch on something: · Will you switch on the television?· I switched on the radio to listen to the news.switch something on: · Do you mind if I switch the light on?· Exhaust fumes come into the car when I switch on the air conditioner.
to make something start working, for example by turning a tap or pressing a button - use this about things that use electricity, gas, or water: turn on something: · He went into the bathroom and turned on the shower.· Use timers to turn on indoor lights while you are away.turn something on: · Do you want me to turn the lights on?
to make a light, radio etc start working: put the light/radio/TV/kettle etc on: · Eva put the kettle on to make a cup of coffee.· Put the light on, then we can see what we're doing.· It was so cold I put the heating back on.
also start up to make a car, engine, machine etc start working: · She started the car and backed slowly out of the garage.· Clean or replace the air filter before attempting to start the engine.
: get a car/engine/machine etc started/going to succeed in making a car etc start after having some difficulty: · I couldn't get my car started this morning.· He rebuilt the engine and finally got it going.· It took the repairman an hour to get the washing machine going again.
to do something to make a piece of equipment that warns you about something start: set off something: · Someone accidentally set off the fire alarm.· Smoke alarms can be set off by smoke from cigarettes, cooking, and fireplaces.set something off: · The alarm is so sensitive that the slightest movement will set it off.
to make a system start operating - use this especially in technical contexts: · The bomb's firing mechanism is activated by a time-clock.· The smoke activated the sprinkler system.
to make a clock, toy, or other machine that does not have a power supply start moving: · Mr Carey wound up the old clock and gently set the pendulum going.· She pulled the lever that set the pump going and waited for the water.
to press a button which makes a machine start: · What happens when you press this button?· Somebody pushed the alarm button.
to pull a large control that switches on the electricity supply to something: · The Speaker of the House threw the switch for the Christmas tree lights in front of the Capitol building.
to give orders in a rude, unpleasant way also order somebody about British if someone orders you around or orders you about , they keep telling you what to do in an annoying or unfair way, and they seem to enjoy it: · You won't get the best out of your staff by ordering them around like that.· I wish you'd stop ordering me about -- I'm not your servant you know.
to order someone to do things in a rude, impatient, and often threatening way: · I'm sick and tired of being pushed around by him.· You shouldn't let other people push you around -- you've got to stand up for yourself.
also boss somebody about British to keep giving someone orders in an annoying way, even though you have no authority to do so: · My brother's always bossing me around and making me clean up after him.· She's a strong-minded woman -- she doesn't let anyone boss her around.
to tell people what they should do in an annoying way because you enjoy giving orders and think that you are always right: · If Bob starts laying down the law, just tell him to shut up.
to use your position of authority to tell other people what to do, in an unreasonable way: · She likes to throw her weight around -- it makes her feel important.· Why is everyone so upset? Has George been throwing his weight around again?
to do something too much to do something with too much effort, so that you do not get the result you want: · You're hitting the ball too hard.· I think you've been working too hard - you need a rest· Many parents try too hard to engineer a safe environment for their child, with disastrous results.
especially spoken to do or say something too much, especially to do too much work or exercise: · You need more exercise, but be careful not to overdo it.· The tour guide managed to be funny and informative, without overdoing it.
to get too angry or too worried when something happens which is not in fact very serious: · Don't you think you're overreacting a little? I'm only ten minutes late.overreact to: · I think people have overreacted to the advertisement - we didn't intend of offend anyone.
to do something so much or to such a great degree that you offend, upset, or annoy people, especially because you do not know when it is reasonable to stop: · Officials were worried that the Chairman's criticisms had gone too far.· John had taken the joke too far and now Betty was crying.go too far/take sth too far in doing something: · We all agree there have to be some controls, but the government has gone too far in ordering all immigration to be stopped.
to do something so much, state something so strongly etc, that people consider your actions unacceptable and unreasonable: · Hunt went to such extremes to get his promotion that everyone at the office hates him now.· You don't have to go to extremes to become healthier - a little exercise and slight changes to your diet can work wonders.
if you do something to excess , you do it so much that it is wrong or harmful: · The government enthusiastically supports US foreign policy, sometimes to excess.· He drank to excess, occasionally causing scenes in front of CIA officials.
something you say or do that is over the top is extreme, so that it is either very funny and entertaining, or very annoying or offensive: · Some of his remarks about women were really over the top.· The show was supposed to be a kind of over-the-top satire - it wasn't supposed to be taken seriously.go over the top: · The movie's drawn-out finale goes over the top in its attempt to keep the audience in suspense.
to give someone too much work to do or try to make a system handle too much work: · We can't take money from a school system that is already overloaded.· They overloaded the computer system, and the whole thing just stopped.· Projects should stretch people and make them work hard, but not overload them.
use this humorously when you have eaten too much rich food or drunk too much alcohol: · Schneider told quite a funny story about how he had overindulged one night.· What's the point of a vacation, after all, if not to overindulge yourself?
British informal to talk too much about a subject or repeat a joke or story too often, so that no one is interested in it any more: · It was a good story a month ago, but the newspapers have really flogged it to death.
when you stand in a line of people waiting British to stand in a line of people who are all waiting for the same thing: · Students were queuing up at the bus-stop.queue (up) to do something: · It's worth queuing up to get the best tickets.queue (up) for: · I hope we don't have to queue for tickets.
American to stand in a line of people who are all waiting for the same thing: · Go and wait in line like everyone else.stand/wait in line for: · There were about 50 people standing in line for tickets outside the club.stand/wait in line to do something: · People stood in line to touch him, believing his body had healing powers.
if people line up , they go and stand in a line and wait to do something or be given something: · The guard ordered us to line up by the wall.line up to do something: · Christopher and the other children lined up to receive their awards.
British /line American a group of people, standing one behind the other, who are all waiting for the same thing: · The queue went right round the block.queue for: · There was a long queue for the toilets.the front/back of the queue/line: · After waiting for an hour, we finally got to the front of the line.join a queue/get in line: · I joined the queue for a taxi.· Two people tried to get in line ahead of us.
British /be in (the) line American to be waiting in a line with people who are all waiting for the same thing: · While I was in the queue at the bank I met an old school friend.· Kerry started talking to the people who were in line ahead of us.be in the queue for: · Several people in the line for the rollercoaster gave up and left.
British to get something before other people who have been waiting for it longer than you: · My official uniform meant that we could jump the queue.· While ordinary citizens had to wait months to get hospital treatment, government officials were able to jump the queue.
informal to join a line in front of other people who are already waiting, so that you get something before them: · I hate people who push in in front of me!· Hey, that guy just cut in line!
to work too hard someone who is overworked has too much work to do: · Teachers often complain that they are overworked and underpaid.· I'd been six months without any holiday, and I was tired and overworked.
informal to work so hard that you become ill: · The doctor told me to relax and not overdo it.· The President's advisers are worried that he might have been overdoing it lately.
to force yourself to work too hard, especially because you want very much to be successful: · You should slow down. You're pushing yourself too hard.· It's no wonder that she had a nervous breakdown -- she's been driving herself too hard for months.
informal to force yourself to work very hard, so that you become extremely tired or ill: · It's good to work hard. But don't drive yourself into the ground.· By the time the great day arrived, I'd worked myself into the ground making sure everything would be just right.
to work hard to work hard when you are doing your job, your schoolwork, or anything that takes time and effort: · Bruno had been working hard in the kitchen all morning.· I wouldn't mind working so hard if they paid us more.
to work hard because you think something is important and you want to do it well: · Stella had obviously put a lot of effort into her assignment, and got a good grade.· The company puts a great deal of effort into training its staff.
to try hard to improve something or to improve the way you do something: · The only way to be successful in athletics is to really work at it.· You should be able to take your music exam in the summer, if you work at it between now and then.
/be hard at it British informal to be working very hard and continuously: · Mike's been hard at it all afternoon and he still hasn't finished mending the car.be hard at work on something: · Since January, Leane's been hard at work on a self-help book on how to launch a business.be hard at work doing something: · They've been hard at work getting the house decorated.
to force yourself to work or train very hard at something: · If you really push yourself, you should get all the work done on time.push yourself hard: · Warm up your body before you start exercising, and avoid pushing yourself too hard or too fast.
British /plug away American informal to work very hard for a long time in a determined way: · American investment bankers are still plugging away, looking for business in developing countries like Thailand, Indonesia, or Malaysia.beaver away on/at: · Haven't you finished? You've been beavering away on that report all morning.
British /labor American formal to work hard, especially doing hard physical work, or doing something difficult or boring: · Sheffield is a city where steel-workers once laboured in their thousands.labour over: · Shipman was seated in his office, labouring over his paperwork, when I came in.labour to do something: · The goal was just what the team needed, at the end of a game in which they had laboured hard to overcome Chelsea.
WORD SETSABC1, nounabove the line, adjectiveadoption curve, advert, nounadvertise, verbadvertisement, nounadvertising agency, nounaffiliate marketing, aftermarket, nounAIDA, nounair time, announcement, nounaudience research, Audit Bureau of Circulation, nounbait-and-switch, adjectiveBDI, below the line, adjectivebillboard, nounblind test, brand extension, nounbrand extension strategy, brand stretching, nounBritish Rate and Data, nounbusiness gift, business-to-business advertising, button ad, nounbuying decision, nounbuying habits, nounC2DE, nouncannibalization, nouncanvassing, nouncareline, nouncategory killer, nounCLV, cognitive dissonance, nouncolumn-inch, nounComdex, nouncommodity product, competitive intelligence, nouncompetitive strategy, concept testing, nounconsumer behaviour, consumer panel, consumer resistance, conversion rate, copy testing, nouncopywriter, nouncore competence, cost-per-click, nouncost per impression, nouncost per thousand, nounCPC, creative brief, creative director, cross promotion, customer-centric, adjectivecustomer loyalty, customer profile, customer profiling, customer research, dealer aids, noundemand curve, derisk, verbdirect-to-consumer advertising, drip method, noun-driven, suffixelectronic point of sale, empty nesters, nounendorse, verbendorser, nounend-to-end, adjectiveevent management, field research, first mover, nounfirst-mover advantage, flyer, noungimmick, nounhalo effect, high end, nounhoarding, nounHouse of Quality, nounincome group, island display, jingle, nounknocking copy, last-mover advantage, lead user, line extension, nounline stretching, nounmailing list, nounmailshot, nounmakegood, nounmarket-oriented, adjectiveMarlboro Friday, nounmerchandiser, nounmotivational research, nicher, nounnichist, nounonline catalogue, o.n.o., opinion leader, nounopportunities to see, nounpack shot, nounpeople meter, positioning, nounposter, nounPR, nounpress agent, nounpress communications, press kit, price-insensitive, adjectiveprice-sensitive, adjectiveprint advertising, private-label, adjectiveproblem child, nounproduct differentiation, product parity, promo, nounpromote, verbpromotion, nounpromotional, adjectiveprospectus, nounpublicist, nounpublicity, nounpublicize, verbpublic relations, nounpulsing, nounpush, verbrebrand, verbreference group, remarket, verbreposition, verbsaleable, adjectivesales analysis, sales channel, sales engineer, sales incentive, sales resistance, sandwich board, nounsecond-mover advantage, selling point, nounsell-through, adjectivesoft sell, nounspiff, nounsplit run, nounspot colour, nounSRDS, stage-gate, adjectiveStandard Rate and Data Service, nounstealth marketing, target buyer, target customer, Target Group Index, nountarget market, telemarketing, nountelephone interviewing, nountradename, noununique visitor, noununit sales, want ad, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
I slowly pushed the door open. Encourage your kids to try new things, but try not to push them too hard. athletes who push their bodies to the limit He was pushing hard for welfare reform. New technology has pushed the cost of health care even higher.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He pushed his half-eaten salad aside and left. He tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind. The sudden movement of the ship knocked them both off balance. a young woman pushing a pram Everyone was pushing and shoving to see the prince.
I slowly pushed the door open. Encourage your kids to try new things, but try not to push them too hard. athletes who push their bodies to the limit He was pushing hard for welfare reform. New technology has pushed the cost of health care even higher. He pushed his half-eaten salad aside and left. He tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind. (=walk beside it pushing it)· She was wheeling her bicycle and talking to some friends.
(=in order to get up)· He pushed back his chair and stood up.
· The new tax will increase the cost of owning a car.
(=discover new things)
(=make inflation worse)· The increase in food prices is fuelling inflation.· There are now fears that price rises will push up inflation.
The sudden movement of the ship knocked them both off balance. a young woman pushing a pram (=make them happen)· He has so far failed to push through much-needed economic reforms.
Everyone was pushing and shoving to see the prince.· He pulled himself upright on the sofa.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· You need to push ahead with private plans. you're in a position to do so.· Leaders seize opportunities and push ahead.· But there are strong reasons to push ahead now to resolve all remaining final-status questions.· But for black dancers and choreographers, this was a time to push ahead.· To achieve this, Quinlan is pushing ahead with a salad of deals, alliances and joint ventures.· Carter, however, insisted on pushing ahead.· And with cold weather helping sentiment oil leaders pushed ahead.· Anyone who tried to push ahead was berated by others.
· Dad was pushed along the passage, into the kitchen.· And it was pushed along by the success of non-traditional Democrat Gary Hart in 1984.· A shopping trolley pushed along and then released will roll across the floor, gradually slowing down until it comes to rest.· Nevertheless, telecommuting is destined to increase, he said, pushed along by snowstorms, traffic jams and technological progress.· Michael had a sense that he pushed along behind a much cleverer creature and could not keep up.
· She was no longer a nervous little nineteen-year-old that he could push around as he pleased.· You get tired of being pushed around.· I didn't want to be pushed around or to be made dependent on others.· They won't be pushed around.· In the Mirabeau Precinct she'd only get pushed around and ignored.· This cart was pushed around by Nora Fauchon, well remembered by many.· I suppose if the truth was known, I was narked at being pushed around.· It's time we Berliners stopped allowing ourselves to be pushed around.
· He then pushed aside all notes and summed up the case from beginning to end.· He pushed aside the civilian Junta using it only to give decent sanction to new promotions.· Maremont pushed aside his business and civic work and spent most of the early summer barnstorming through Illinois.· He pushed aside, untasted, the food Pesaro's servant had given him.· But with the piles of snow that are pushed aside, the streets are only 60 % passable.· And now the cabinet was pushed aside.
· Bend the arms at the elbows. Push away the arms, forcing the hands out.· I try to fold her into the comfort of my body, but she pushes away from me, startled into wakefulness.· John Hendrie burst through in the closing minutes, but his strong shot was pushed away for a corner by Bob Bolder.· Magnets can push away from each other.· These would be pushed away by the radiation from the Sun, taking with them any payload attached to them.· Cajole, shame, bully, push away?· Head down, shoulders stooped, he counted his steps and tried to push away the evil.
· It has, by pushing back the boundaries of human knowledge, given us much that has enriched our lives.· I think Dole really is for pushing back the barriers for all.· The topsoil could then be pushed back across the site and to all appearances undisturbed agricultural land was left.· Some know when to take off their napkins and push back from the table.· They reeled under the blows, but the heavy steel saved them and they recovered to push back unarmoured householders.· The trial was scheduled for last November, then pushed back a month.· A brilliant word-processor proving shareware can push back the boundaries of software value for money.· He pushed back his plate now.
· So, with this result, I decided to try the opposite by pushing down on the boom through the turn.· The air in the room, which had higher pressure, pushed down on the water in the glass.· When genuine feelings are denied and pushed down, depression may follow.· The driver pushes down on the brakes and initially nothing happens.· He pushed down some one with blond hair.· The rafts and the wharves were lined with standing bodies, and people were pushing down through the woods on either side.· He's a floating penguin that literally toots with joy when he is pushed down under the water.· Not waiting for the completion of this effort, a strong Union army had pushed down through western Tennessee.
· Claire pushed forward. family made of themselves in public.· More important, its results gave the Minnesota change leaders the confidence to push forward.· These programmes need to question and push forward the agenda of the news programmes.· But we kept pushing forward and we fought fair and we tried not to be petty.· He saw scientists and thinkers as exploring the unknown, pushing forward their place in the universe.· These people endure decades of horror, and they set their shoulders and push forward.· In figure A the pelvis is pushed forward so that the man is leaning backwards.· Undaunted he would retreat, threading the twine between his fingers and thumb, before blindly pushing forward in a new direction.
· They responded by pushing hard into corporate finance, seeking to use shareholdings as a door-opener.· However, Thompson questioned whether the administration will push hard if resistance stiffens.· Brian was pushed hard against the side of a car parked in the far corner of the bar's car park.· I fell back, like a person pushed hard.· Missing are neighborhood and business associations: two groups that pushed hard during the former administration for a crackdown on nuisance crimes.· Big agricultural businesses, primarily in California, pushed hard for the temporary workers.· Each pushed hard against the other.
· They touch down, and he pushes off again, taking her arm so that she glides up with him in spite of herself.· Mellanby, pushed off balance by Stumpel, attempted to sweep the puck toward the net.· It looks to me more as if he wanted them to push off and abandon him.· He pushed off from one wall, ran two steps, did a belly-flop and sloshed across the floor.· We pushed off with a flourish, leaving the boy and Marina's driver at the edge.· As the bag inflates, the book will be pushed off and slide away. 4.· Just as he was about to push off again, I asked if he was finished.
· He was taking himself to the limit and then pushing on from there.· He pushed on in swamp and wilderness through Gulf Coast and lower Mississippi territories.· There are times when I've pushed on when all the signals were saying turn back.· The story does not seem easy for this woman to tell, but she pushes on.· All the runners are adrift out here, sorting through their thoughts, weighing the reasons to push on.· We push on to another standard tourist site, the almost grotesquely ornate Opera.· Once he is distracted, I push on hard and he gives up the game.· The pencil they pushed on is called the arm.
· He pushed open the driver's side door and clambered out, unsure whether to approach the Montego or wait.· She pushed open the front door, which he had left unlocked.· She pushed open the glass door, muttered good morning, and took her place in the queue.· But when I pushed open the gate into the yard on my return, I always saw Jean-Claude at the window.· She watched his hands as he pushed open the packet and pulled out a cigarette.· Lisa pushed open the driver's door and stepped out to face him.· She pushed open the sitting room door and walked in.· I glimpsed Mathilda's white face then ran into the gallery, pushing open the door to the solar.
· Then a doctor appeared and more bustle followed, until a wheeled stretcher was pushed out and Robbie was wheeled away.· In the schools we are visiting the walls are pushed out to encompass the world around them in multiple ways.· Clouds of steam struck by sunlight pushed out of the power station in the Ironbridge gorge.· Varney said, pushing out a single airy belch of laughter.· We took it over for a Sunday night, hiring it, promoting the gig ourselves, pushing out a lot of handbills.· Primo notices his dark swollen belly, pushing out between the flaps of a green flak jacket.· Almost every work that is premiered seems to push out the boundaries of the form a little farther.· Sometimes she had to be pushed out the door.
· Students should also be pushed through more quickly.· They pushed through the doors, they hung from the porcelain straps.· Cardiff pushed through into the offices.· Tax cuts pushed through by a Republican-controlled Board of Supervisors from 1993 through 1996 were folly, Huckelberry says.· Privatisation is to be pushed through without even the safeguard of a consultative body.· The city pushed through the state Legislature a temporary law which made annexing the area much easier.· Rohmer pushed through, followed by Duvall.· But unfortunately, the old questions insist on pushing through.
· Both have pushed up against a lower limit which is, I believe, economic in character.· I pushed up his eyelid and exposed an inert brown pupil.· It is this extra spending which, given full employment and consequent constant number of transactions, pushes up the price level.· As capital moves to low-wage areas, the employment rate tends to rise, and wages are pushed up.· The increase in demand for borrowing will push up rates.· Banking shares are also a key sector of the market, and any rally among them would push up the Nikkei significantly.· Background: The New York area was hit hard by the recession, but pent-up demand is pushing up prices.
NOUN· It has, by pushing back the boundaries of human knowledge, given us much that has enriched our lives.· But that willingness to push beyond the usual boundaries of electronic is precisely why Prodigy seems so, well, prodigious.· A brilliant word-processor proving shareware can push back the boundaries of software value for money.· Bush's speech pushed the political boundaries of the missile defence issue much further than he has done before.· Female speaker I like them because they push back the boundaries.· There is no need to push boundaries here.· Almost every work that is premiered seems to push out the boundaries of the form a little farther.· Such men push the boundaries as far as they can to try to get their women to love them, dirt and all.
· After reaching the desired revs by using the foot throttle, the driver then pushes the centre button.· The destabilizing effect will push buttons and force changes.· But like most of his colleagues in Hampden Babylon he had an uncanny knack of pushing the self-destruct button.· She pushed a button, cranking the bed to a more upright position.· Subtle it ain t, but for big-band fans, it pushes all the buttons.· Then when ready, they push a button to signal the start of their 40 shots that make up the first round.· When your words are likely to push his buttons, use anticipation.
· Honey shoots into shot, pushing Bella's chair.· At that I push the chair all the way under the table and we give each other these glowing smiles.· He pushed his chair back from the table as if trying to escape.· His father pushed back his chair and stood and leaned back against the sink, looking into the middle distance.· He pushed his chair back and wandered around the room.· Frank said, pushing his chair back fast.· He pushed back his chair, kissed his wife, and went back to his duties.
· She pushed against the garage door and it slid upwards.· Then the Jesuit volunteers pushed open the shelter doors and the worshipers followed the cross into a misty rain.· Rachaela pushed open the door and went in.· She pushed open the door on silence.· They pushed through the doors, they hung from the porcelain straps.· She pushed open the glass door, muttered good morning, and took her place in the queue.· Sometimes she had to be pushed out the door.
· It needs some one who understands its basic talent, some one who will help it to push the envelope of its artificial intelligence.· In one entrapment incident when he was in the Assembly, some one pushed an envelope under his door.· Both were known to push the envelope of life.
· Back then entrepreneurs were pushing out the frontiers of trade.· As for the second one your use of rhyme pushes back the frontiers of english literature.· Their achievement was in pushing back the frontiers of distance running with world records.
· He pushes a hand through his hair, and pauses once more.· Jolted, I pushed his hand away.· He pushed both hands through his sleep-tousled hair.· He'd push his hand right up, and feel me.· Needless to say Kyle would push his hand away or quickly grab the train back and put it back where it belonged.· He held his breath and pushed his hand down the bed to touch his night-gown.· When she saw where I was sitting she pushed her hands in her coat pockets and ambled over on her shaky heels.
· Vintage Steve Douglas pushing the limits of the fake ollie at the Whiplash comp. 1985.· I feel that I have pushed the limits of his patience.· Acorn, Hawkbit and Speedwell, decent enough rank-and-filers as long as they were not pushed beyond their limits.· There are full-time writers who can't push things to their limits -- poets who stop when a thing is good enough.· All who went through that regime of training remember the extremes of fatigue and of being pushed to their limits.· The guards are pushed to the limit all the time.· Some one somewhere is going to push them to the limit.· If a mentor is pushing you beyond your limits, if you are feeling more and more exhausted, beware!
· If the story did turn out to be true, though, I think he might be pushing his luck.· Just make sure that you don't push your luck too far.· However we pushed our luck and took Molly in, with no protests whatsoever.· Mallachy, indeed, was inclined to push his luck with Rory.· Now above all times, she felt, was not the time to push her luck.· Twelve months later the Captain of Sea Rover pushed his luck once too often.· Sunday 6 November I knew I shouldn't have pushed my culinary luck.
· He pushed the empty plate away from him and leaned his arms on the table.· As he pushed away the empty plates she waited for him to make some comment about the meal.· Norm muttered, pushing his plate away.· I pushed my plate away and settled back with the wine.· I pushed back my plate angrily.· Detective Sergeant Joseph Bragg pushed away his plate, and wiped his ragged moustache.· He pushed back his plate now.
· She approached the slope pushing a doll's pram full of dolls and blankets.· An old woman in tattered clothes walked down the street pushing a dilapidated pram.
· It is this extra spending which, given full employment and consequent constant number of transactions, pushes up the price level.· Big Oil will just push the price up another 4. 3 cents anyway.· Top target is likely to be cigarettes and extra tax could push the price up by between 12 and 15p a packet.· Background: The New York area was hit hard by the recession, but pent-up demand is pushing up prices.· But lower mortgage rates for everyone else just push up the price of homes.· Competitive bidding by buyers will push the price up toward the equilibrium level.· Labour politicians fear estate agents carrying out the valuations will push prices up to benefit themselves.· Trading was sluggish as aerospace, defense and oil stocks pushed prices yesterday.
· Increased deposits would push deposit rates down.· A complete breakdown of budget talks could push rates back up, at least temporarily, analysts concede.· By then, car crime had pushed insurance rates up beyond the ozone and way past the stratosphere.· Fourth, by pushing up interest rates, fiscal policy can push up the exchange rate of the currency.· The increase in demand for borrowing will push up rates.· Peso bears could therefore push against the exchange rate only by liquidating their long positions.· A huge demands for apartments pushed vacancy rates down to the 1 to 2 percent level.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► push your luck/push it► push something out of your mind► must/should etc be pushing along► push something ↔ asidePHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► push/tip somebody over the brink► press/push somebody’s buttons► at/with the push/touch of a button► be driven/pushed from pillar to post► push/grope/inch etc your way somewhere
- Burt's probably pushing 50 by now.
- Between these two displays are the rotary encoder control and four push buttons.
- But, as you know, with the K858 you have the advantage of push buttons.
- Five push buttons take care of the full-speed play, half-speed play, record, instrument distortion and stop options.
- Subtle it ain t, but for big-band fans, it pushes all the buttons.
- The destabilizing effect will push buttons and force changes.
- The geeky suitor lost, which pushes the wrong buttons.
- This can only be because there is something about Twinkies that pushes buttons in us that other junk foods do not.
- When your words are likely to push his buttons, use anticipation.
- Leaving Joe and his son to return to Fancy, we pushed the boat out to sea and ploughed down to Richmond.
- Even she could not push the point any farther.
- If the customer pushes the point, he fights back.
- She decided not to push the point any further, could see he had switched off.
- Both were known to push the envelope of life.
- It needs some one who understands its basic talent, some one who will help it to push the envelope of its artificial intelligence.
- It's lucky I was sent here, to Hepzibah, or I'd be pushing up daisies.
- He pushed all the right buttons.
- These are words which are all designed to press the right buttons among women voters.
- It's lucky I was sent here, to Hepzibah, or I'd be pushing up daisies.
- Each time Walters asked his employees to push the envelope, he said, "If you can dream it, you can do it."
- Both were known to push the envelope of life.
- It needs some one who understands its basic talent, some one who will help it to push the envelope of its artificial intelligence.
- Aunt Edie was in such a rage about it that she was hard put to contain herself.
- Governments will then be hard put to get it on to their national statute books by mid-1993.
- I can assure you that any busybody would be hard put to it to prove maltreatment!
- Leinster will be hard pushed to keep the score within the respectable margins of defeat set by their predecessors.
- Once an apology is given, the defendant will be hard put to contest liability later.
- The slave's side ... and even Miss Phoebe would be hard put to understand.
- With his height and features, he was hard put to pass as a native.
- You will be hard pressed to choose a single main course because so many are mouth-watering.
- And why have governments in the region not pressed the panic button?
- Derby County chairman Brian Fearn has refused to push the panic button after Tranmere's 2-1 win.
- By the second half of the game, the Tigers had really started to put the pedal to the metal.
- Later, Brooks' brother alleged that racism helped put the pedal to the metal.
WORD FAMILYnounpushpusherpushinessadjectivepushedpushyverbpush
1move [intransitive, transitive] to make someone or something move by pressing them with your hands, arms etc OPP pull: It didn’t move, so she pushed harder. I promised to push him on the swings for as long as he wanted. shoppers pushing their grocery cartspush somebody/something away/back/aside etc She pushed him away. Maria pushed her hair back from her forehead.push somebody/something towards/into etc something Philip pushed him towards the door.push something open/shut I slowly pushed the door open.2button/switch [intransitive, transitive] to press a button, switch etc in order to make a piece of equipment start or stop working SYN press: I got in and pushed the button for the fourth floor. Push the green button to start the engine.3try to get past [intransitive] to use your hands, arms etc to make people or things move, so that you can get past them: Don’t push. Everyone will get a turn.push (your way) past/through/into etc A fat man pushed past me in his rush to leave. She pushed her way to the front.4encourage [transitive] to encourage or force someone to do something or to work hard: Encourage your kids to try new things, but try not to push them too hard. athletes who push their bodies to the limitpush yourself He’s been pushing himself too hard, working 12-hour days.push somebody into (doing) something My husband pushed me into leaving the job.push somebody to do something The teachers pushed the students to achieve.5persuade [intransitive, transitive] to try to persuade people to accept your ideas, opinions etc in order to achieve something: The president is trying to push his agenda in Congress.push for He was pushing hard for welfare reform.push to do something Company representatives are pushing to open foreign markets to their products.push something on somebody We don’t try to push our religion on anyone.6change [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to change someone’s situation, or to make a situation change, especially when some people do not want it to change: The law would push even more children into poverty. attempts to push the peace process forward7increase/decrease [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to increase or decrease an amount, value, or numberpush something up/down Slow sales have pushed down orders.push something higher/lower New technology has pushed the cost of health care even higher.8army [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if an army pushes somewhere, it moves in that direction: The army was pushing north. We pushed deep into enemy territory.9advertise [transitive] informal to try to sell more of a product by advertising it a lot: Sports stars earn big bucks for pushing everything from shoes to soft drinks.10drugs [transitive] informal to sell illegal drugs → pusher11be pushing 40/50 etc informal to be nearly 40, 50 etc years old12push your luck/push it informal to do something or ask for something, especially something you have done or asked for before, when this is likely to annoy someone or involves a risk: If she doesn’t want to go, don’t push it. It’s 26 miles, so you’re pushing your luck if you try to hike it in a day.13push something out of your mind (also push something to the back of your mind) to try not to think about something, especially something bad or worrying: He pushed the thought out of his mind and tried to concentrate.14push (somebody’s) buttons informal to make someone feel strong emotions: Movies shouldn’t be afraid to push a few buttons.15push the boat out British English informal to spend more money than you usually do, on something special: Push the boat out and get tickets to the theatre or ballet.16push the point to keep trying to make someone accept your opinion in a way that they think is annoying17push the envelope American English to do something that is new and that goes beyond the limits of what has already been done in a particular area of activitypush of/on ideas that push the envelope of design and construction18be pushing up (the) daisies informal to be dead – used humorously19technical [transitive] to automatically send your email to your smartphone, so that you receive it immediately → pushed, pushingTHESAURUSpush to make something or someone move by pressing them with your hands, arms etc: · Push the door, don’t pull it.· She pushed him away and walked out.shove to push someone or something in a rough or careless way: · People were shoving to get to the front of the queue.· Tom shoved his suitcase under the bed.stuff informal to push something quickly and carelessly into a small space: · She stuffed a few clothes into a bag and left.poke to push someone or something with your finger or something sharp: · I poked the snake with a stick but it was dead.nudge to push someone beside you gently with your elbow to get their attention: · Toby nudged me and pointed out of the window.roll to push something round or something on wheels so that it moves forward: · They rolled the logs down the hill.· The car still didn’t start so we tried to roll it off the road.wheel to push something with wheels, for example a bicycle or a trolley, so that it moves forward, while guiding it with your hands: · Rob wheeled his bike round the back of the house.push ahead phrasal verb to continue with a plan or an activity, especially in a determined waypush ahead with Quinlan decided to push ahead with the deal.push along phrasal verb must/should etc be pushing along British English spoken used to say that you think it is time for you to leave a place: It’s getting late – I think we should be pushing along.push somebody around (also push somebody about British English) phrasal verb to tell someone what to do in an impolite or threatening way: Europeans sometimes feel the Americans are trying to push them around.push somebody/something aside phrasal verb1 push something ↔ aside to try to forget about something, especially something unpleasant, so that you can give your attention to what you are doing: She pushed aside her anger, forcing herself to focus on her work.2to force someone out of their job or position, taking the job in their place: Primakov was pushed aside but later became head of Intelligence.push yourself forward phrasal verb British English to try to make other people notice you: Rupert was a quiet type, not one to push himself forward.push in phrasal verb British English informal to go in front of other people who are already waiting in a line for something, instead of going to the back of the line: A couple of boys pushed in at the head of the queue.push off phrasal verb1to start moving in a boat, on a bicycle, or when swimming or jumping, by pushing against something with your arms, legs etc: Dad pushed off and jumped into the rowboat.2British English spoken used to tell someone rudely to go awaypush on phrasal verb1to continue travelling somewhere, especially after you have had a rest: We decided to push on a little further.2to continue doing an activitypush on with Nixon pushed on with the weapons development program.push somebody/something ↔ over phrasal verb to make someone or something fall to the ground by pushing them: He went wild, pushing over tables and chairs.push something ↔ through (also push something through something) phrasal verb to get a plan, law etc officially accepted, especially quickly: The planning application was pushed through as quickly as possible.push1 verbpush2 noun
pushpush2 ●●○ noun EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- In a push to capture more of the market, Conoco will start selling propane.
- Rebel forces are believed to be preparing a final push into the city.
- The President has renewed a push to get the hostages freed.
- And the Democrats in Congress have bedeviled Dole with a push for a raise in the minimum wage.
- For now the railway operates a short push and pull service between Furnace Sidings and the Whistle Inn.
- When push came to shove, the Northern California hospitality came through.
Longman Language Activatorto push something or someone
to push something or someone, especially with your hands, so that they move away from you: · We pushed as hard as we could, but we couldn't get the bus to move.· Mum, William pushed me!push something/somebody to/into/from etc something: · She pushed the table into a corner of the classroom.· Pushing his plate to one side he called for the waiter.· Witnesses had seen the man push Mrs Cooper off the bridge into the canal.
to push something or someone once, so that you force them to move: · "Go away!" she said, giving him a push.· He reached out and gave the door a gentle push.
informal to push something or someone, using your hands or shoulders, in a rough or careless way: · The children were all pushing and shoving each other.shove somebody/something against/aside/under etc something: · One of the soldiers shoved her roughly against the wall.· Tom shoved his suitcase under the bed.· Armed police shoved the protestors aside to make way for the president's car.
to push something or someone suddenly and strongly to force them to move: · If the door won't open just give it a shove.· "Mind your own business!" said Graham, giving me a shove.
to push someone along roughly in order to make them move forward quickly: hustle somebody out/into etc: · Two policemen quickly appeared and hustled him out.· Martin seized her arm and hustled her away.· The two men were hustled into a police van and driven away.
to quickly push someone or something into something such as a car, a bag, or a cupboard, for example because you are in a hurry or you want to hide something: · Her friends managed to get her out of the pub and bundled her home.bundle somebody/something into something: · He had been bundled into the back of a Volkswagen by three masked men.· I collected up the dirty washing and bundled it into the washing machine.
to move someone who does not want to move or something that is difficult to move by holding on to them and pushing them roughly: manhandle somebody/something into/out/towards etc: · The soldiers were manhandling two men into the yard.· The gang manhandled the stolen trailer through a gap in the fence.
to push something that has wheels or rolls easily · Paul held the door open for a woman pushing a trolley of heavy books.push something in/around etc something · Shoppers were pushing their carts around the supermarket.· The car had run out of gas so they pushed it into a side-street.
to push something with wheels while holding it with your hands: wheel somebody/something out/into/down etc: · As I arrived she was just wheeling her bicycle out of the shed.· I collected a trolley and wheeled it towards the frozen food section.· She hated being wheeled round in a wheelchair.
to push a round object along so that it turns over and over and moves forward: roll something up/down etc something: · We had so much fun rolling stones down into the river.
to push something heavy that has wheels, slowly and with difficulty: trundle something in/along etc: · The porters were trundling barrows loaded with vegetables into the market.· The soldiers trundled the massive gun carriage along the road.
to push someone or something with your finger, elbow, or with something pointed to gently push someone with your elbow to get their attention, especially when you do not want anyone else to notice: · Toby nudged my arm. "That's the guy I told you about," he whispered.· Christine nudged me and giggled.
to push someone or something with your finger or with something sharp: · The boys poked the fish with sticks to see if it was still alivepoke somebody in the eye/side/ribs: · Careful with that stick! You nearly poked me in the eye.
to gently push someone or something, using your finger or something such as a stick: · Sergeant Thompson raised his stick and prodded the soldier in the chest.· They walked around him, prodding and pinching him.
to suddenly push your finger or elbow into someone's body, to get their attention or tell them something: · Jenny dug me sharply in the ribs and told me to be quiet.· Edward laughed loudly, digging me in the ribs, wanting me to share the joke.
to push an object into an opening or into something soft to push a sharp object into something soft, or push something into a small space: stick something into/up/inside etc something: · They stuck pins into a map to show where the enemy's camps were.· The doctor had to stick a tube down my throat in order to examine my stomach.
to push something into a small space using a lot of strength: force something into/through/down something: · She tried to force her feet into the shoes but they were too small.· I finally managed to force the package through the small letterbox.
informal to push something quickly and carelessly into a small space: shove/stuff something into/up/down etc: · She shoved two more sweaters into her bag.· He quickly stuffed the letter down the side of the sofa.
to push something very hard or violently into something: ram something into something: · She rammed the papers into her briefcase.· Construction workers had to spend the night ramming iron girders into place to support the building.
to push something deep inside another thing, especially violently or suddenly: plunge something into something: · Plunging both hands deep into the sack she rummaged among the parcels.· Then he plunged the knife into his victim's chest.
to push something suddenly and hard into an opening or into something soft: thrust something into something: · He thrust the knife deep into the animal's chest.· Thrusting the gun back into its holster, the man grinned at the body lying on the floor.· He thrust some money into my hand and told me to drive him to the airport.
to push something with difficulty into a space that is too small: squeeze something into something: · I don't think I can squeeze any more files into this drawer.· It's no use trying to squeeze yourself into clothes that are too small for you.
to push something forcefully into a small space, so that it fits tightly and is difficult to pull out again: jam something under/into etc something: · Just hold the door open while I jam a wedge under it.· Kelly poured himself another glass of wine and jammed the cork back into the bottle.
to push people in order to move forward to push people, especially in a crowd, in order to move past them or in order to make them move: · Can you tell the people at the back of the queue to stop pushing!push your way through/into etc: · He pushed his way through the crowd.push past: · She pushed past me to the front of the line.
to push people in a rough and careless way with your hands, arms, or shoulders in order to move forward or past people: · The people moved forward towards the food, pushing and shoving to get there first.shove your way through/into etc: · Peter shoved his way through the dense crowd in search of his son.shove past: · Robert shoved past the others and made his way to the front of the room.
to move forward so fast and forcefully that you push someone as you pass them: barge into: · She just barged into me, without even apologizing.barge past: · A woman carrying a large basket barged past me to the front of the line.
to push hard in order to go somewhere when your way is blocked: force your way through: · He forced his way through the dense crowd.force your way into: · Police forced their way into the flat and arrested two men.
to push against one person or several people so that you knock them to one side, especially in order to reach a place or get something before they do: jostle for: · Passengers were jostling each other at the news kiosk for the last remaining copies of the evening paper.jostle to do something: · The children moved forward, jostling to get to the front and see the magician.
to push with your elbows in order to move past people: elbow your way through/into etc: · She elbowed her way through the crowd.elbow somebody aside/elbow somebody to one side: · Craig elbowed me aside roughly.· Elbowing me to one side, he took hold of the microphone.
to push in order to move forward with the rest of the crowd: press forward/round etc: · As the race started the crowd pressed forward towards the track.· The security men tried to hold back crowds of reporters pressing round the President's car.
to push something to operate a machine: push/press a button to push something that makes a machine operate: · It's very simple - you put the paper in and push a button, and the computer does the rest for you.· She pressed the button and the machine started to whirr.
WORD SETSaction stations, nounaide-de-camp, nounairborne, adjectiveaircraft carrier, nounairlift, nounallied, adjectivearmour, nounarms control, nounarms race, nounarray, verbassault course, nounAWOL, adjectivebalance of power, nounbandmaster, nounbandsman, nounbase, nounbattle, nounbattle, verbbattle cry, nounbattlefield, nounbattlements, nounbeachhead, nounbivouac, nounblackout, nounblast, verbblitz, nounblockade, nounblockade, verbblockhouse, nounbloodshed, nounbody bag, nounbody count, nounbomb, verbbombard, verbbombardment, nounbomb disposal, nounboot camp, nounbowman, nounbreastplate, nounbridgehead, nounbunker, nouncall-up, nouncannonade, nouncapability, nouncaptain, nouncapture, nouncarrier, nouncashier, verbcenotaph, nounchief of staff, nouncitation, nouncivil defence, nounC.O., nouncommand, nouncommand, verbcommandant, nouncommander, nouncommander in chief, nouncommand post, nouncommissariat, nouncommissary, nouncommission, nouncommissioned officer, nounconquer, verbconquest, nounconscientious objector, nounconscript, verbconscript, nounconscription, nounconvoy, verbcookhouse, nounCorp., corporal, nouncorps, nouncounterinsurgency, nouncounterintelligence, nouncountermand, verbcounter-revolution, nouncourt-martial, nouncourt-martial, verbcross, noundawn raid, noundeath camp, noundemilitarize, verbdemobilize, verbdeploy, verbdetonate, verbdisarm, verbdisarmament, noundispatch, noundraft board, noundraft card, noundraft dodger, noundraftee, noundress uniform, noundrum major, noundump, nounechelon, nounencamp, verbenemy, nounengage, verbengagement, nounenlist, verbenlisted, adjectiveexchange, nounex-serviceman, nounex-servicewoman, nounfield, verbfirst lieutenant, nounfirst strike, nounflak jacket, nounflash, nounfort, nounfortress, nounfoxhole, nounFPO, front, noungas mask, noungeneral headquarters, nounGHQ, nounguardhouse, nounheadquarters, nounhigh command, nounHQ, nounincursion, nounindefensible, adjectiveinsignia, nouninstallation, nouninsubordination, nounintelligence, nouninternment, nouninvade, verbinvader, nouninvasion, nounkit bag, nounKP, nounlieutenant, nounline, nounMaj., major, nounmajor general, nounman, nounmarch, verbmarch, nounmarch-past, nounmarshal, nounmassacre, nounmassacre, verbmess, nounmess, verbmilitarism, nounmilitarized, adjectiveMilitary Academy, nounMilitary Cross, nounmilitary service, nounmilitia, nounmilitiaman, nounminuteman, nounmission, nounMP, nounmutineer, nounmutinous, adjectivemutiny, nounnational service, nounNATO, nounNCO, nounno-man's-land, nounnon-aggression, nounnon-aligned, adjectivenon-combatant, nounobjective, nounobservation post, nounoccupation, nounoccupy, verboffence, nounoffensive, adjectiveoffensive, nounofficer, nounoperation, nounorderly, nounoutflank, verboutpost, nounoverthrow, verboverwhelm, verbpact, nounpadre, nounparade, nounparamilitary, adjectiveparapet, nounpartisan, nounpassword, nounpatrol, nounperilous, adjectiveperiscope, nounpillbox, nounpincer movement, nounpost, verbPOW, nounpre-war, adjectiveprisoner, nounprisoner of war, nounPurple Heart, nounpush, nounputsch, nounPX, nounquarter, verbquartermaster, nounquell, verbR & R, nounraid, nounraid, verbrank, nounrebellion, nounrecapture, verbreconnaissance, nounreconnoitre, verbrecruit, verbrecruit, nounreinforce, verbrelieve, verbRemembrance Day, nounrepel, verbrequisition, verbretake, verbretire, verbretreat, verbretreat, nounreview, nounreview, verbribbon, nounsabre-rattling, nounsally, nounsalute, verbsalute, nounsalvo, nounsamurai, nounscorched earth policy, nounscout, nounscout, verbscramble, verbsecond lieutenant, nounsentinel, nounsentry, nounsentry box, nounsergeant, nounsergeant major, nounserviceman, nounservicewoman, nounSgt., shell, verbshelling, nounsiege, nounskirmish, nounstaff officer, nounstaging area, nounstandard-issue, adjectivestar, nounstation, nounstation, verbstrategic, adjectivestrategist, nounstrategy, nounstripe, nounstronghold, nounsuperpower, nounsuppress, verbsurgical strike, nounsurrender, verbsurrender, nountactical, adjectivetarget, nountarget, verbtask force, nountattoo, nountheatre, nountrench warfare, nountripwire, nountruce, nounturret, noununarmed, adjectiveunoccupied, adjectivevalour, nounveteran, nounvolunteer, nounvolunteer, verbwar chest, nounwar crime, nounwar cry, nounwar dance, nounwar effort, nounwarfare, nounwarhorse, nounwarlike, adjectivewarlord, nounwar memorial, nounwarmonger, nounwarrant officer, nounwarring, adjectivewarrior, nounwar-torn, adjectivewar widow, nounwar zone, nounwounded, adjectivezero hour, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY If the door’s stuck, just give it a push. The company has recently made a big push into the Japanese market.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He pushed his half-eaten salad aside and left. He tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind. The sudden movement of the ship knocked them both off balance. a young woman pushing a pram Everyone was pushing and shoving to see the prince.
If the door’s stuck, just give it a push. (=used to emphasize how easy a machine is to use) Files can be attached to your email at the push of a button.
Files can be attached to your email at the push of a button. The company has recently made a big push into the Japanese market. He pushed his half-eaten salad aside and left. He tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind. (=walk beside it pushing it)· She was wheeling her bicycle and talking to some friends.
(=in order to get up)· He pushed back his chair and stood up.
· The new tax will increase the cost of owning a car.
(=discover new things)
(=make inflation worse)· The increase in food prices is fuelling inflation.· There are now fears that price rises will push up inflation.
The sudden movement of the ship knocked them both off balance. a young woman pushing a pram (=make them happen)· He has so far failed to push through much-needed economic reforms.
Everyone was pushing and shoving to see the prince.· He pulled himself upright on the sofa.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Which is why we expect Diamond to make a big push for city annexation.· Releases from major acts have a bigger push and the marketing budget is much larger.· Players will begin trickling into the marketplace by spring, with the biggest push at the Christmas season.· Ironically, one of the big pushes for telecommuting is coming from that traditional bastion of bureaucracy, the federal government.· He's made a good start, now comes the big push.· Gardener, for the big push up the middle on defense?
· Lawrence could strengthen his squad for a final promotion push.· The final push is a huff-and-a-puff all the way.· It was steep and exposed but solid, and the final push for the summit involved some exhilarating scrambling.· While the oven and the dough are warming up, the yeast may revive and give forth one final push.· Middlesbrough manager Lennie Lawrence has to prepare his players for a final push after a gruelling season.· In theatre, forceps hold the baby in position, one final push - and here he is! 8.20 p.m.· Just as I gave the final push, my hand found a rope over the end of the ship.
· Just as he reached the top step I gave him a push - not a hard push, just defensive.· The pushing started first gently but slowly progressing to hard pushes.
· She's exaggerating; it was only a little push.· They also need a little push from us, their public, their reason for being.· One little push and the whole world's one, no woman's better than the next!
· A MAJOR push to make Darlington a centre for tourism was discussed by the council's development committee yesterday.· In a major public relations push, Pillsbury boosted the prize this year to $ 1 million.· Despite the possible loss, General Magic said it will press on and make a major new push on to the Internet.· It was in many ways the perfect time for another major feminist push in Florida.
· The new push is reflected in the doubling of budget requests-to $ 254m-to combat Aids overseas.· Despite the possible loss, General Magic said it will press on and make a major new push on to the Internet.
VERB· Instead of jerking on the lead, he gave a mighty push to the bear's head and the man-animal rolled over backwards.· The boy jerked them in over the gunwale, his father giving an unnecessary push from underneath.· He's given Beattie Johnson the push, which is a shame.· I give this book a push and it moves.· Bigger capacity engines produce more torque as more fuel is burnt per firing stroke, giving a bigger push to the piston.· I gave the button a push.· One of the guys at the gate helped me give the Fiasco a push.· While the oven and the dough are warming up, the yeast may revive and give forth one final push.
· Walking uphill and into the wind, with the forty-pound bag on your back, you felt like you needed a push.· Does your business operation in fact need a push in the right direction?· They also need a little push from us, their public, their reason for being.· We need a big push on our environmental record.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► it’ll be a push► give somebody the push/get the push► when/if push comes to shovePHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► push/tip somebody over the brink► press/push somebody’s buttons► at/with the push/touch of a button► be driven/pushed from pillar to post► push/grope/inch etc your way somewhere
- Michael, at a push, will admit to being the most sensible of the three.
- Paul is not very good at pushing it yet.
- This is something to which 70 percent of the Carter camp will likewise admit, at a push.
- He pushed all the right buttons.
- These are words which are all designed to press the right buttons among women voters.
- It's lucky I was sent here, to Hepzibah, or I'd be pushing up daisies.
- Each time Walters asked his employees to push the envelope, he said, "If you can dream it, you can do it."
- Both were known to push the envelope of life.
- It needs some one who understands its basic talent, some one who will help it to push the envelope of its artificial intelligence.
- Aunt Edie was in such a rage about it that she was hard put to contain herself.
- Governments will then be hard put to get it on to their national statute books by mid-1993.
- I can assure you that any busybody would be hard put to it to prove maltreatment!
- Leinster will be hard pushed to keep the score within the respectable margins of defeat set by their predecessors.
- Once an apology is given, the defendant will be hard put to contest liability later.
- The slave's side ... and even Miss Phoebe would be hard put to understand.
- With his height and features, he was hard put to pass as a native.
- You will be hard pressed to choose a single main course because so many are mouth-watering.
- And why have governments in the region not pressed the panic button?
- Derby County chairman Brian Fearn has refused to push the panic button after Tranmere's 2-1 win.
- By the second half of the game, the Tigers had really started to put the pedal to the metal.
- Later, Brooks' brother alleged that racism helped put the pedal to the metal.
WORD FAMILYnounpushpusherpushinessadjectivepushedpushyverbpush
1pushing movement [countable] when someone pushes something OPP pull: Jodi had stopped swinging. ‘Want a push?’ her dad asked. If the door’s stuck, just give it a push.at/with the push of a button (=used to emphasize how easy a machine is to use) Files can be attached to your email at the push of a button.2effort [countable] when someone, especially a business, tries to get or achieve something: the pre-Christmas advertising pushpush into The company has recently made a big push into the Japanese market.push for the push for improved productivitypush to do something a push to attract new members3encouragement [singular] if someone gives someone else a push, they encourage or persuade them to try something: She just needed a gentle push to get her to join in.4army [countable] a planned military movement into the area where the enemy ispush into The army has made another big push into enemy territory.5give somebody the push/get the push British English informal a)if your employer gives you the push, they make you leave your job: I was scared I’d get the push. b)if someone you are having a romantic relationship with gives you the push, they tell you that they no longer want to continue the relationship6when/if push comes to shove (also if it comes to the push British English) spoken if a situation becomes very difficult or action needs to be taken: If push comes to shove, you can always sell the car.7at a push British English informal if you can do something at a push, it will be difficult, but you will be able to do it: We have room for five people, maybe six at a push.8it’ll be a push British English spoken used to say that something will be difficult because you do not have enough time to do it: I’ll do my best, but it’ll be a bit of a push.- stockbroker
- stockbroking
- stock car
- stock certificate
- stock company
- stock cube
- stock exchange
- Stockhausen, Karlheinz
- stockholder
- Stockholm
- stockily
- stock index
- stockiness
- stockinette
- stocking
- stocking filler
- stocking mask
- stock-in-trade
- stockist
- stockman
- stock market
- stock option
- stockpile
- stockpot
- stockroom