push
- 01 A1 Beginner
v.to use your hands or body to move something away from you.
v.to apply physical force to an object so that it moves away from the source of the force.
Simple“You have to push the door hard because the lock is a bit rusty.”
In context“The crowd began to push against the barriers as the gates finally opened for the evening performance.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to try to make someone do something or agree with you.
v.to exert pressure or influence on someone to adopt a specific course of action or belief.
Simple“My parents didn't push me to go to university; they let me choose my own path.”
In context“The sales team was instructed to push the new software package during every client consultation this quarter.”
Antonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to send information or an update from one computer to another.
v.to transmit data or software updates from a server to a client without a specific request.
Simple“The app will push a notification to your phone when your order is ready.”
In context“The developers decided to push the security patch to all active users immediately to prevent further system vulnerabilities.”
- 04 A2 Elementary
n.the act of moving something away from you with force.
n.a single, directed application of physical force against an object.
Simple“The car wouldn't start, so we had to give it a push.”
In context“A gentle push was all it took to send the small boat drifting out into the calm lake water.”
- 05 B1 Intermediate
n.a big effort to finish something or reach a goal.
n.a determined or concerted effort to achieve a specific objective, often against resistance.
Simple“We need one final push to finish the project before the weekend.”
In context“The charity made a massive push for donations in the final week of the annual fundraising campaign.”
- 06 C1 Advanced
n.a situation in a game or bet where nobody wins or loses.
n.a result in wagering where the outcome matches the spread or line exactly, resulting in the return of the original stake.
Simple“The game ended in a push, so I got my money back from the bookie.”
In context“Because the final score landed exactly on the predicted margin, the bet was declared a push and all stakes were refunded.”
Usage pushed back · pushed to their limits · push boundaries
From Middle English pushen, poshen, posson, borrowed from Middle French pousser (Modern French pousser) from Old French poulser, from Latin pulsare (“to beat, strike”), frequentative of pellere (past participle pulsus). Doublet of pulsate and pulse (verb). Partly displaced native Old English sċūfan, whence Modern English shove.
Probably French poche. See pouch.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.