# push the boat out

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/push-the-boat-out
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- We decided to push the boat out for our anniversary dinner.
- Since it was their father's seventieth birthday, the family decided to push the boat out and rent a luxury villa for the weekend.
- Although they usually maintained a frugal lifestyle, the couple chose to push the boat out for the wedding, sparing no expense to ensure the celebration was truly memorable.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.