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