verb
pushes; pushed; pushing
to use force to move (someone or something) forward or away from you [+ obj]
to go forward while using your hands, arms etc., to forcefully move people or things that are blocking you [no obj]
[+ obj] to force or try to force or persuade (someone) to do something
to force (someone) to work hard at something in order to achieve success
to do or say things that cause trouble for (someone)
[no obj]
a always followed by an adverb or preposition :to continue moving forward in a forceful or steady way
usually + ahead, forward, or on
to continue to do something especially in a determined way
usually + ahead, forward, or on
always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] :to force (someone or something) to move away from a place
[+ obj] :to cause (something) to be accepted, completed, etc., by making a special effort
[no obj] :to make a strong, continuous effort to get or do something - often + for
[+ obj] to make a strong effort to sell (something)
to try to make (something) more popular, well-known, etc., by talking about it
to repeat (something) in order to show that it is important
[+ obj] informal :to sell (illegal drugs)
[+ obj] to go up to and often beyond (a limit)
b informal :to get close to (an age or number) - always used as (be) pushing
always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] :to cause or force (something) to change in a specified way
[+ obj] sports :to hit (a ball) toward the right from a right-handed swing or toward the left from a left-handed swing
be pushing up daisies
push around
also Brit push about [phrasal verb]
push (someone) around/about :to try to force (someone) to do what you want by making threats, using force, etc.
push back
[phrasal verb]
push back (something) or push (something) back :to change (a planned event) to start at a later date or time
push in
[phrasal verb] Brit :to move in front of other people who are waiting in a line
push it/things
informal :to continue to do or to try to do something when you should stop
push off
[phrasal verb]
to move from a place or position by pushing against a surface with something
Brit informal :to go away :leave - used in speech as a rude or angry way of telling someone to go away
push on
[phrasal verb]
push (something) on (someone) :to force (someone) to accept (something)
push over
[phrasal verb]
push over (someone or something) or push (someone or something) over :to make (someone or something) fall to the ground by pushing
US informal :to move so that there is room for someone else to sit or stand next to you
push paper(s)
push the envelope
push your luck
noun
plural pushes
[count] an act of pushing something or someone - usually singular
a large, organized military attack - usually singular
a strong, continuous effort to get or achieve something - usually singular
at a push
Brit informal :with some difficulty :by making a special effort
get the push
Brit informal :to lose your job :to be fired from your job
give (someone) the push
Brit informal :to dismiss (someone) from a job :to fire (someone)
push comes to shove
informal - used to describe what happens when a situation becomes very serious or difficult and action needs to be taken