ENGLISH
REFERENCE

push it

idiom
Meaning

To make an extraordinary or risky effort; to behave in a way which tests the limits; to take chances; to expect too much.


Origin

disputed origin

The slang sense referring to sexual intercourse was inspired by "Push It", a Salt-n-Pepa song of the 1980s. The song is ostensibly only about dancing but clearly also implies sex.

Examples
SIMPLE

Don't push it, or you will be late for work.

CONTEXTUAL

He was already tired, but he decided to push it and finish the project before midnight.

COMPLEX

Although the mountain climber knew the storm was approaching, he chose to push it, hoping to reach the summit before the weather turned dangerous.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    push against an open door

    To do something pointless or unnecessary; to try doing something already done.

  2. 02

    push in

    To jump the queue, especially in a forceful manner.

  3. 03

    push on

    To persist, persevere.

  4. 04

    push one's luck

    To take an excessive risk or to attempt some task unlikely to succeed, especially after having already been unexpectedly lucky.

  5. 05

    push one's way

    to make one's way by pushing.

  6. 06

    push the boat out

    To do something, especially spend money, more extravagantly than usual, particularly for a celebration.

  7. 07

    push the envelope

    To go beyond established limits; to pioneer.

  8. 08

    push up daisies

    To be dead.

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