Phrasal verb
push in
Definition
phrasal verb. to go to the front of a line of people instead of waiting your turn at the back.
phrasal verb. to unfairly join a queue or line at a point ahead of those already waiting. The verb is typically intransitive in this sense.
Examples
“He often pushes in when there is a long queue.”
“I had been waiting for ten minutes when a teenager tried to push in right in front of me.”
“The orderly queue at the ticket office dissolved into chaos when several latecomers attempted to push in, sparking a heated argument among the commuters.”
Examples
simple
“He often pushes in when there is a long queue.”
contextual
“I had been waiting for ten minutes when a teenager tried to push in right in front of me.”
complex
“The orderly queue at the ticket office dissolved into chaos when several latecomers attempted to push in, sparking a heated argument among the commuters.”
Usage
This phrase is primarily used in British English to describe jumping a queue.
Teaching tip
Use this to teach British social etiquette and contrast it with the American 'cut in line'.
Pitfall
He pushed in me.
He pushed in front of me.
The phrasal verb is intransitive, so you cannot place a person as the direct object; use 'in front of' instead.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
push + in
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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