# shove

/ˈʃəv/ (US) · /ʃˈʌv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shove
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to push roughly

verb · CEFR B2

to push someone or something with a lot of force, often in a rude or careless way.

For teachers: to push someone or something roughly or with significant force. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- The angry man tried to shove his way through the crowded train station.
- He had to shove the heavy wooden crate across the warehouse floor because the wheels on the trolley were broken.

Usage: Often used with 'away', 'aside', or 'through' to indicate direction.

### 2. to put hurriedly

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to put something somewhere quickly and without being careful.

For teachers: to place or stow something in a hasty, careless, or disorganized manner.

- I didn't have time to clean, so I just shoved the mess into the closet.
- She shoved the unsigned documents into her briefcase and hurried out the door before the manager could ask any questions.

### 3. poker

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang

to bet all of your money or chips at once in a game of poker.

For teachers: to make an all-in bet by moving all remaining chips into the pot.

- He decided to shove with his last few chips, hoping to win the hand.
- With the blinds increasing and his stack dwindling, the professional player chose to shove from the button with a marginal hand.

Usage: Usually used as an intransitive verb in gambling contexts.

### 4. a rough push

noun · CEFR B2

a strong or rough push given to someone or something.

For teachers: an act of shoving; a forceful or rude physical push.

- The bully gave him a shove in the playground, but a teacher saw it happen.
- The heavy door required a determined shove before the rusted hinges finally groaned and allowed us entry.

## Examples

- He had to shove his way through the crowded train station.
- The protesters began to shove against the metal barriers as the police moved closer to the line.
- In the frantic rush to board the last ferry, passengers began to shove one another, ignoring the crew's repeated calls for an orderly queue.

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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.