push
/pʊʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /pʊʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpu̇sh/ (ame, mw)
push — verb
- pushpresent simple I / you / we / they
- pusheshe / she / it
- pushedpast simple
- pushing-ing form
1. to press firmly against someone or something using your hands or body, applying
to press firmly against someone or something using your hands or body, applying force to move them away or change their position
Dario pushed the heavy stone door open with both hands.
push + object + complement (open/shut)
Soraya pushed her dinner plate away after eating only half of her meal.
push + object + adverb (away/aside)
Valentina gently pushed the cat off the table so she could set it for dinner.
The back of Andrei's chair pushed against the wall when he leaned too far back.
- pull
move something toward yourself instead of away
文法句型
push + object + adverb/preposition
push + against + object
用法筆記
Often used with adverbs that show direction or result, such as away, open, shut, aside, or through.
常見錯誤
2. to use force against people or things that block your path, pressing past them t
to use force against people or things that block your path, pressing past them to get where you need to go
The nurse pushed through the crowd of reporters to reach the ambulance.
push + through + object
Naoko pushed past the other passengers and ran for the last train.
push + past + object
Reuben pushed his way to the front of the stage to see the singer up close.
Ming-Na pushed through the crowd without looking back, desperate to catch the departing train.
文法句型
push + adverb/preposition
push + one's way + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
The transitive pattern push one's way is common when describing movement through a dense crowd or tight space.
常見錯誤
3. if a military force pushes in a certain direction, its soldiers move forward tog
if a military force pushes in a certain direction, its soldiers move forward together toward a target, often after fighting
Government troops pushed deeper into rebel territory during the night.
push + adverb + into + object
The army pushed across the river after the engineers rebuilt the bridge.
push + across + object
Our forces pushed forward despite heavy rain and thick mud.
The battalion pushed toward the capital city as the ceasefire collapsed.
- advance
more general and formal; does not imply the same level of physical struggle
- press forward
emphasises determination and effort
- retreat
to move backward away from the enemy
文法句型
push + adverb/preposition (into/across/through/toward)
用法筆記
Common in news reports and historical writing about battles. The direction word (into, across, through, toward) is almost always included.
4. to try hard to make someone do something they are not sure about or would rather
to try hard to make someone do something they are not sure about or would rather not do, often by applying constant pressure
Talia's parents pushed her to study medicine, but she wanted to be an artist instead.
push + object + to-infinitive
The sales manager pushed his team into working on Saturdays without extra pay.
push + object + into + -ing
Aylin felt pushed into accepting the job offer even though she had serious doubts.
Her coach kept pushing her to train harder even after she won the silver medal.
- discourage
to try to stop someone from doing something
文法句型
push + to-infinitive
push + into + -ing
用法筆記
The push + into + -ing pattern is stronger and more negative than push + to-infinitive. It suggests the person genuinely did not want to do the thing.
常見錯誤
5. to make a strong and repeated effort to get people to buy a product or accept an
to make a strong and repeated effort to get people to buy a product or accept an idea through advertising and discussion
The company spent millions pushing its new smartphone on social media platforms.
push + object + on + place
Saira has been pushing her plan for a community garden at every council meeting.
push + object + at + event
Record labels push young singers to release new songs as quickly as possible.
The politician pushed her education reform bill at every public event she attended.
文法句型
push + object
push + object + on/at + someone
用法筆記
Can also be used for promoting an idea or policy, not just a physical product. Distinguish from sense 4 (URGE FORCEFULLY) — here the target is the thing being promoted, not a person being pressured.
常見錯誤
6. to sell drugs such as heroin or cocaine that are against the law
to sell drugs such as heroin or cocaine that are against the law
The police arrested the man who had been pushing heroin in the neighborhood for months.
push + drug name
Local authorities are cracking down on dealers pushing fentanyl on the streets.
Vikram got in trouble with the law after he started pushing pills outside the nightclubs.
Undercover officers arrested a group pushing cocaine near the university campus.
- deal
the most common neutral word for selling illegal drugs
- sell drugs
neutral and clear; suitable for any register
文法句型
push + object (drug name)
用法筆記
This is informal slang. In neutral or formal contexts, use sell drugs or deal drugs instead. Often used in news reports about street-level drug crime.
常見錯誤
7. to send data or messages from a central server to a user's device automatically,
to send data or messages from a central server to a user's device automatically, without the user requesting it.
The news app pushes breaking stories to subscribers as soon as they happen.
push + something + to + receiver — automatic data delivery
Yan's phone buzzed when the system pushed a software update to her device overnight.
This weather service pushes severe storm alerts to residents without them installing extra software.
A fitness tracker pushed a weekly summary to my phone every Sunday morning.
- pull
in computing, the user or client actively requests the data
文法句型
push + something + to + someone/something
用法筆記
Common in mobile and web technology contexts. The opposite action (receiving data only when you ask for it) is called 'pull'.
常見錯誤
8. to cause something to rise, grow, or develop to a higher level, degree, or a mor
to cause something to rise, grow, or develop to a higher level, degree, or a more advanced condition.
Rising fuel costs pushed bus fares up by twenty percent this spring.
push + prices + up by [amount] — quantifying the increase
The coach's tough training pushed the team's performance to a level they had never reached.
A drought in the south pushed water restrictions into effect across the entire region.
The new factory pushed local employment to its highest level in a decade.
文法句型
push + noun + to/toward/into + something
用法筆記
Often used with up/down as particles ('push prices up', 'push costs down'). The object is usually a price, level, rate, or measure of performance.
常見錯誤
9. to be close to reaching a particular age, amount, or length of time.
to be close to reaching a particular age, amount, or length of time.
Grandpa is pushing eighty but still walks two miles every morning.
push + age — approaching a milestone birthday
The temperature outside pushed forty degrees Celsius in the shade yesterday afternoon.
With the project deadline pushing midnight, Mathieu ordered coffee for the whole team.
The city's population is pushing three million for the first time since the 1990s.
文法句型
push + number/age
用法筆記
Always used with a number or quantity. Most common with ages ('pushing 40', 'pushing 90') and temperatures ('pushing 100°F'). Not used for single-digit numbers — you would not say 'pushing 3 years old.'
常見錯誤
push — noun
- pushsingular
- pushesplural
1. an act of pressing against someone or something with your hands, arms, or body,
an act of pressing against someone or something with your hands, arms, or body, so that they move away from you or into a different position
The car got stuck in the mud, so Niran asked his friend for a push.
collocation: give someone/something a push
One strong push from Rodrigo sent the door flying open.
The toddler needed a gentle push to get the swing moving.
Harper gave the table a hard push to slide it against the wall.
- pull
applying force to bring something towards you instead of away
文法句型
a push
give someone/something a push
用法筆記
Often used with 'give' in the pattern 'give [someone/something] a push'. The object of the push is usually a physical object, though it can also be a person needing help moving.
常見錯誤
2. a planned, strong forward movement by a group of soldiers or other organized peo
a planned, strong forward movement by a group of soldiers or other organized people toward a specific place or position, often with the aim of taking control
The army made a final push toward the capital at dawn.
collocation: make a final push
The general ordered a push into enemy territory before the winter set in.
pattern: push into [place]
Both sides prepared for an autumn push that could decide the war.
A coordinated push by the allied forces broke through the front line.
- retreat
moving back from a position instead of advancing
文法句型
push into/toward [place]
make a push
用法筆記
Common in military history and strategy discussions. Often used with adjectives indicating timing ('spring push', 'final push') or scope ('major push', 'coordinated push').
3. a determined, organized effort by a company or group to gain an advantage over o
a determined, organized effort by a company or group to gain an advantage over others, especially by promoting a product, increasing sales, or entering a new market
The company launched a big push to sell its new fitness tracker in Asia.
collocation: a big push to sell
Meera led a marketing push that doubled the brand's online sales in three months.
The push for renewable energy has created thousands of new jobs in Taiwan.
Lucía's push to expand into Latin America faced strong competition from local brands.
- drive
very similar, often used interchangeably; 'drive' may feel more energetic
- campaign
often more formal and planned over a longer period
- initiative
focuses on starting something new rather than pushing hard for it
文法句型
push for [goal]
a big push
用法筆記
Often followed by 'for' + goal or 'to' + infinitive. The subject is typically a company, organization, or government body. Overlaps with sense 5 (advertising) but is broader — it covers any determined business effort, not just advertising.
常見錯誤
4. words, actions, or gentle pressure aimed at helping a hesitant person take actio
words, actions, or gentle pressure aimed at helping a hesitant person take action or make progress
Caleb just needed a little push from his teacher to start applying for scholarships.
collocation: a little push / a gentle push
Defne's friends gave her the push she needed to quit her boring job and travel.
pattern: give someone the push
The manager's speech was the push the team needed to finish the project on time.
Sometimes a child only needs a gentle push to try a new sport or hobby.
- encouragement
softer, more supportive; less forceful than a push
- nudge
a very gentle reminder or suggestion
- motivation
internal drive; can be self-generated, unlike a push which comes from outside
- discouragement
actions or words that make someone less willing to try
文法句型
a push to do something
give someone a push
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (physical force) — in this sense, 'push' describes emotional or social pressure, not physical contact. Often used in the phrase 'a push in the right direction', meaning gentle guidance toward a good decision.
常見錯誤
5. a large, concentrated advertising effort for a product or service, using multipl
a large, concentrated advertising effort for a product or service, using multiple channels to attract customers over a short period
The publisher gave the novel a big advertising push before the holiday season.
collocation: advertising push
Naoko's team planned a television and social media push for the new phone launch.
pattern: television push / social media push
The film's marketing push included billboards, online ads, and celebrity endorsements.
A summer push by the ice cream brand boosted sales by forty percent.
文法句型
a big push
an advertising push
用法筆記
Very close in meaning to sense 3 (BUSINESS CAMPAIGN), but this sense is narrower — it focuses specifically on advertising expenditure and media placement rather than the broader business strategy. Use this sense when the emphasis is on promotion and ads, not sales or market entry.
6. a short message sent automatically from a phone or computer app to a user's devi
a short message sent automatically from a phone or computer app to a user's device to alert them about new information, even when the app is not open
Erik turned off push notifications from his news app because they were too distracting.
pattern: push notifications from [app]
The weather app sent a push warning users about the approaching typhoon.
Madison checked her phone after feeling a buzz from a new push notification.
Users can choose which apps are allowed to send them push messages.
- alert
more general; can be sound-based or visual, not necessarily a push message
- notification
any message from an app; a push is one specific type delivered automatically
文法句型
push notification
receive a push
用法筆記
Almost always used in the compound 'push notification' or informally shortened to just 'push'. The verb sense 7 ('to push information to a device') is the action behind this noun sense. Frequently discussed in phone settings menus.
常見錯誤
7. a natural inner quality of wanting to succeed and being willing to work hard to
a natural inner quality of wanting to succeed and being willing to work hard to start new projects or achieve difficult goals
Aoi has the push to start her own café despite having very little money.
have the push to + infinitive for expressing determination
Without Baraka's push, the community garden project would have stopped long ago.
Gabriel's natural push helped his small team finish the building work ahead of time.
Alessia showed remarkable push when she convinced three local shops to sell her handmade bags.
- drive
more common in everyday speech; 'push' sounds slightly more energetic
- ambition
focuses on wanting success rather than the energy to pursue it
- initiative
emphasises the willingness to start things without being told
- enterprise
more formal; often used in business contexts
文法句型
have the push to + infinitive
possessive + push + verb
用法筆記
Unlike other noun senses about physical force or external encouragement, this sense refers to a person's inner drive. It is uncountable and typically appears in positive contexts about ambition and initiative.
常見錯誤
push — abbreviation
1. a short form that stands for a charity group whose mission is helping people in
a short form that stands for a charity group whose mission is helping people in need, especially through community-based aid efforts.
Gabriel volunteered with PUSH for three summers and helped build homes in rural villages.
PUSH as an organization name in volunteer context
Donations to PUSH fund food banks, health clinics, and school supplies for low-income families.
The newspaper ran a story about PUSH opening a new community centre in the city.
Otis joined a team from PUSH that delivered medical supplies after the earthquake.