11 Phrasal Verbs with Push

11 Phrasal Verbs with Push (Meanings & Examples)

Hello, English learners! Welcome to a new lesson. Today, we are looking at 11 useful phrasal verbs with push – commonly used to talk about effort, continuation, pressure, resistance, and progress. Many of these are especially useful in work, study, and real-life situations.

1. Push off

Meaning

to leave or go away (informal)
to tell someone to go away (often rude or abrupt)

This phrasal verb is informal and can sound impolite depending on tone.

Examples

When he wouldn’t stop bothering me, I told him to push off.
It was getting late, so we decided to push off and head home.

2. Push on

Meaning

To continue doing something, especially when it becomes difficult.

Examples

Despite the heavy rain, we pushed on with our walk.
The lecturer encouraged the students to push on even when the material became challenging.
Tired but determined, the hikers pushed on until they reached the summit.

3. Push through

Meaning

To finish or complete something despite difficulties, resistance, or exhaustion.

Examples

The team pushed through the final stages of the project.
Despite feeling exhausted, she pushed through and delivered an excellent presentation.
The bill was pushed through parliament after weeks of debate.

4. Push back

Meaning

to delay or postpone
to resist or oppose an idea, decision, or authority

Examples

The organisers pushed back the meeting by half an hour.
Local residents pushed back against the council’s proposal.
Employees are starting to push back against unrealistic deadlines.

5. Push around

Meaning

To treat someone unfairly, aggressively, or in a bullying way.

Examples

She refuses to be pushed around by her colleagues.
He promised himself he would never let anyone push him around again.
Young employees are often pushed around if they don’t speak up.

6. Push for

Meaning

To strongly support or actively try to achieve something.

Examples

Residents are pushing for better public transport.
The union has been pushing for higher wages for years.
During the meeting, she pushed for a change in company policy.

7. Push up

Meaning

To cause something to increase or rise (prices, levels, figures).

Examples

Rising energy costs have pushed up electricity prices.
Increased demand has pushed up housing costs in the city.
New regulations may push up production expenses.

8. Push aside

Meaning

to move something physically out of the way
to ignore or suppress a thought, feeling, or idea

Examples

He pushed aside his doubts and focused on the task.
She pushed aside her fear and spoke confidently.
Please push the chairs aside so we have more space.

9. Push ahead

Meaning

To continue with determination, often despite opposition or problems.

Examples

Despite criticism, the company pushed ahead with the project.
The charity pushed ahead with its plans despite funding issues.
She decided to push ahead and apply for the job anyway.

10. Push out

Meaning

to force something out or remove it
to replace or drive out something older or weaker

Examples

New technology has pushed out older systems.
The company was pushed out of the market by stronger competitors.
Economic changes pushed out many small businesses.

11. Push in

Meaning

to force your way into a space (especially a queue – British English)
to insert something by pushing

Examples

It’s rude to push in when people are waiting in line.
Someone tried to push in ahead of us at the ticket counter.
He had to push in the loose panel so the door would close.

Final Tip

Many phrasal verbs with push relate to:

effort and persistence (push on, push through, push ahead)
pressure and resistance (push back, push for)
movement or force (push aside, push out, push in)

Understanding these core ideas makes them much easier to remember and use naturally.

Published by My Lingua Academy on 22 May 202522 May 2025