What is push? Pronunciation and usage in English

push means . Learn how to pronounce and use push through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of push

pushverb

/pʊʃ/
Definition & pronunciation of push

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "push" in English. Here's a breakdown:

  • The Sound: The main sound is a short "uh" sound, like in "cup" or "sun".

  • How to Say It:

    1. Start with a short "uh" sound: Think of the sound you make when you're surprised or slightly questioning something. (Like "Uh... what?")
    2. Add a quick "sh" sound: Right after the "uh" sound, quickly say "sh" as in "shoe."

  • Putting it Together: It's almost like saying "uh-sh" very quickly.

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) Pronunciation: /pʊʃ/ (This is the technical way to write it, but it’s more useful for learners)

Here's a helpful breakdown of the sounds:

  • p: This is a very short, quick "p" sound, almost like it's blended into the "uh" sound. It's not a distinct "p" like in "pen."
  • ʊ: This is the short "u" sound, as in "book" or "put." It's a rounded vowel.
  • ʃ: This is the "sh" sound, as in "shoe" or "ship."

Resources for Hearing it:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce push" on Google and you'll find audio clips.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/%C3%9Ap%20sh/ (This website has pronunciations from native speakers)
  • YouTube: Search for “how to pronounce push” on YouTube and you’ll find video tutorials.

Would you like me to:

  • Record the pronunciation for you?
  • Give you some practice words to say with the "uh-sh" sound?

Usage and examples with the word push in English

Let's break down how to use the word "push" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings and ways to use it. Here’s a categorized breakdown:

1. Physical Pushing (Moving Something)

  • Definition: To apply force to move something forward.
  • Examples:
    • "I pushed the door open." (Moving a door)
    • "He pushed the cart down the aisle." (Moving a shopping cart)
    • "The wind pushed the trees." (Force exerted by the wind)
    • "She pushed her little brother on the swing." (Applying force for movement)

2. Pushing Someone (People/Animals)

  • Definition: To force someone to do something or to move in a particular direction. This can be gentle or forceful.
  • Examples:
    • "The teacher pushed him to study harder." (Encouraging/motivating) - Often used with "encouraged" meaning.
    • “He pushed me down.” (A more aggressive action - implies force and potentially harm.)
    • "The bull pushed its calf out of the way." (Instinctive pushing)

3. Pushing Boundaries/Limits

  • Definition: To go beyond established limits; to challenge conventions.
  • Examples:
    • “The artist is pushing the boundaries of abstract expressionism.” (Experimenting and exploring new ideas)
    • "Technology is constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible."
    • "She’s pushing herself too hard at work." (Straining to achieve more)

4. Pushing for Something (Advocating)

  • Definition: To try hard to make something happen; to advocate for something.
  • Examples:
    • “The union is pushing for better wages.” (Actively campaigning)
    • “I’m pushing for a new recycling program at school.” (Trying to get something implemented)
    • “He’s pushing for a meeting with the CEO.” (Trying to secure a meeting)

5. Pushing Buttons (Metaphorical - Triggering a Response)

  • Definition: To provoke a reaction, often an emotional one.
  • Examples:
    • “He pushed my buttons by teasing me about my haircut.” (Caused annoyance)
    • “Don’t push people’s buttons – it’s not a nice thing to do.” (Avoid provoking negative reactions)

6. Push (as a Verb in a Phrase - Often with “up”)

  • Definition: To force something upwards, to move upwards.
  • Examples:
    • “Push up your sleeves.” (Move your arms upwards)
    • “Push the button.” (Press the button)
    • "He pushed up his glasses." (Lifted them to his nose)

7. ‘Push’ as a Noun (Less Common)

  • Definition: The act or effort of pushing; force.
  • Examples:
    • “He put a lot of push into the project.” (A great deal of effort)
    • "There was a significant push for increased funding." (A strong effort or movement)

Tips for Using "Push" Effectively:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of “push” changes significantly depending on the situation. Pay attention to the surrounding words.
  • Consider the Intensity: “Push” can range from a gentle encouragement to a forceful action.
  • Think of the Target: Is it an object, a person, a boundary, or an idea?

Resources for More Examples:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking of using "push" in? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, an academic paper, etc.)
  • Can you give me a sentence you’re trying to use "push" in?

Synonyms for the word push

Idioms of the word push

be pushing 40, 50, etc.
(informal)to be nearly 40, 50, etc. years old
    be pushing up (the) daisies
    (old-fashioned, humorous)to be dead and buried in the ground
      press/push the panic button
      to react in a sudden or extreme way to something unexpected that has frightened you
      • The prime minister pressed the panic button yesterday as Britain’s economy plunged deeper into crisis.
      push all the (right) buttons
      (informal)to do exactly the right things to please somebody
      • a new satirical comedy show that pushes all the right buttons
      push the boat out
      (British English, informal)to spend a lot of money on enjoying yourself or celebrating something
        push the boundaries/limits
        to attempt to go beyond what is allowed or thought to be possible
        • We aim to push the boundaries of what we can achieve.
        • She pushes her physical limits through various endurance challenges.
        push the envelope
        (informal)to go beyond the limits of what is allowed or thought to be possible
        • He is a performer who consistently pushes the envelope of TV comedy.
        push your luck | push it/things
        (informal)to take a risk because you have successfully avoided problems in the past
        • You didn't get caught last time, but don't push your luck!
        push somebody over/to the edge
        to force somebody to lose control of their behaviour, usually after a particular event or series of events
        • No one knows exactly what caused his breakdown, but losing his job may have pushed him over the edge.
        push/press the panic button
        to react in a sudden or extreme way to something unexpected that has frightened you
        • The prime minister pushed the panic button yesterday as Britain's economy plunged deeper into crisis.
        push something to the back of your mind
        to try to forget about something unpleasant
        • I tried to push the thought to the back of my mind.

        Practice with vocabulary push

        Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

        1. The marketing team plans to _____ an aggressive campaign to boost sales before the quarter ends.
        2. Innovators often _____ the boundaries of conventional thinking to discover truly groundbreaking solutions.
        3. We need to _____ the project timeline by an additional two weeks due to unforeseen technical complications.
        4. Effective leaders strive to _____ their teams to achieve higher performance standards and foster a positive work environment.

        Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

        1. Which action best describes applying continuous force to move something forward or away? a) pull b) carry c) push d) lift

        2. To strongly advocate for a new policy or idea, you might: a) passively observe b) push for it c) promote it d) hinder it

        3. If a company wants to significantly accelerate its growth, it needs to: a) decelerate b) push aggressively c) expand operations d) maintain status quo

        4. When you aim to inspire dedication and effort in a team, you should: a) discourage them b) motivate them c) demotivate them d) empower them

        5. To officially propose a concept for review and acceptance, you would: a) conceal it b) submit it c) retract it d) present it

        Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

        1. The government is making strenuous efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Rewrite using "push" or a related word form:

        2. Despite the obstacles, the team continued to advance the project aggressively. Rewrite using "push" or a related word form:

        3. The recent discovery dramatically changed our understanding of the universe. Rewrite without using "push" or any of its forms:

        Answer:

        Exercise 1:

        1. push
        2. push
        3. extend
        4. motivate

        Exercise 2:

        1. c) push
        2. b) push for it, c) promote it
        3. b) push aggressively, c) expand operations
        4. b) motivate them, d) empower them
        5. b) submit it, d) present it

        Exercise 3:

        1. The government is pushing for a reduction in carbon emissions.
        2. Despite the obstacles, the team continued to push the project forward aggressively.
        3. The recent discovery dramatically altered our understanding of the universe.

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