# pushover

/ˈpʊˌʃoʊvɝ/ (US) · /pˈʊʃəʊvɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pushover
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

a person who is easy to influence or persuade, or something that is very easy to do. You use this when someone cannot say 'no' to others.

For teachers: a person who is easily influenced, defeated, or persuaded; alternatively, a task or contest that is exceptionally easy to accomplish. Informal in register.

## Examples

- My boss is a pushover and always lets me leave early.
- The team expected the final match to be a pushover, but their opponents played much better than anticipated.
- While he cultivated a reputation for being a pushover in social settings, he was known to be a fierce and uncompromising negotiator in the boardroom.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the predicate after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.

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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.