pushing
pushing — adverb
1. used after be to say that someone is close to a round-number age such as forty,
used after be to say that someone is close to a round-number age such as forty, fifty, or sixty.
My uncle was pushing sixty when he learned to swim.
pattern: be pushing [age]
Beatriz is pushing forty but still bikes to work every day.
The new drummer was pushing fifty when the band first toured abroad.
Rina was pushing thirty before she finally finished medical school.
- nearly
more neutral and works with any number, not just ages
- approaching
more formal and common in writing
- going on
similar in meaning but often sounds more conversational
文法句型
be + pushing + [age]
用法筆記
Usually follows a be-verb and works best with round ages such as forty, fifty, or sixty. It sounds more vivid and informal than nearly, and it is not natural with exact ages such as forty-two.
常見錯誤
pushing — adjective
- pushingpositive
- more pushingcomparative
- most pushingsuperlative
1. showing a strong wish to move forward, gain success, and create chances instead
showing a strong wish to move forward, gain success, and create chances instead of waiting for them.
The pushing intern kept asking for harder jobs after only two weeks.
collocation: a pushing intern
A pushing young lawyer stayed late to speak with every senior partner.
collocation: a pushing young lawyer
Dario's pushing style helped his small shop open a second branch.
The mayor hired a pushing adviser who kept seeking new investors.
- ambitious
broader and more common; ambitious does not always suggest energetic action
- driven
emphasizes strong inner motivation more than outward hustle
- enterprising
slightly more formal and stresses taking practical initiative
- passive
waits for things to happen instead of pushing forward
- unambitious
does not strongly seek progress or success
- cautious
moves carefully rather than energetically chasing new chances
文法句型
a pushing + [person]
a pushing + [business]
用法筆記
Often appears before a noun such as worker, lawyer, adviser, or company. Compared with adjective sense 2, this sense can sound neutral or approving because it focuses on drive and initiative rather than bad manners.
常見錯誤
2. too ready to press people, interfere, or ask for things in a way that feels rude
too ready to press people, interfere, or ask for things in a way that feels rude and unwelcome.
Noa found the neighbor's pushing questions about her salary deeply rude.
collocation: pushing questions
A pushing salesman followed Tomás to the parking lot with another offer.
collocation: a pushing salesman
At every practice, parents complained about the coach's pushing behaviour.
Ife stopped answering calls from a pushing cousin who kept demanding money.
- pushy
the more common modern word for this negative social pressure
- intrusive
focuses more on entering other people's private business
- overbearing
stronger and suggests trying to control people generally
文法句型
a pushing + [person]
pushing + questions / behaviour / manner
用法筆記
This sense is clearly negative and usually criticizes someone who keeps pressing, advising, or stepping in without being asked. Distinguish it from adjective sense 1, which can sound positive about ambition or energy.