v.
- exert force on (someone or something) in order to move them away from oneself.
▸hold and exert force on (something) so as to cause it to move in front of one.
▸move one's body or a part of it forcefully into a specified position.
▸
(push off)
exert pressure with an oar so as to move a boat out from a bank.
- move forward by using force.
▸
(push in)
Brit. go in front of people who are already queuing.
▸
(push ahead)
proceed with or continue a course of action.
▸
(push off)
Brit. informal go away; depart.
- urge (someone) to greater effort.
▸
(push for)
demand persistently.
- informal promote the use, sale, or acceptance of.
▸sell (a narcotic drug) illegally.
-
(be pushed)
informal have very little of something, especially time.
-
(be pushing)
informal be nearly (a particular age).
n.
- an act of pushing.
- a vigorous effort.
▸forcefulness and enterprise.
-
(a push)
informal something that is hard to achieve.
Phrase
- at a push
Brit. informal only if necessary or with a certain degree of difficulty. - get
(or give someone)
the push
(or shove)
Brit. informal - be dismissed (or dismiss someone) from a job.
- be rejected in (or end) a relationship.
- push one's luck
informal take a risk on the assumption that one will continue to be successful or in favour. - when push comes to shove
informal when one must commit oneself to an action or decision.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from OFr. pousser, from L. pulsare (see pulse1).
