Definition

Verb: 1. To flatten or clear land using a bulldozer: The primary meaning refers to the physical act of using a heavy vehicle with a broad metal blade to push earth, debris, or structures. 2. To force something through, overcome, or dismiss opposition in a relentless, unsubtle manner: Used figuratively to describe pushing forward with an idea, plan, or demand in a forceful, often insensitive way that ignores obstacles or objections.

Usage and Examples

• Literal Usage (with a machine):
  • The construction crew will bulldoze the old factory to make way for the new park.
  • They had to bulldoze the hill to create a level building site.
• Figurative Usage (forceful action):
  • The new manager bulldozed her reforms through the committee without listening to any feedback.
  • He has a tendency to bulldoze over anyone who disagrees with him in a meeting.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "to bulldoze one's way": To proceed with great force and determination, physically or metaphorically, often disregarding others.
  • She bulldozed her way to the top of the company.
  • The protesters tried to bulldoze their way past the police barricade.
• "to bulldoze someone into something": To coerce or pressure someone into doing or accepting something.
  • I felt bulldozed into signing the contract before I was ready.

Variants and Related Words

• Bulldozer (noun): The heavy vehicle used for bulldozing; also, a person who acts in a forceful, coercive manner.
  • The bulldozer cleared the rubble in hours.
  • In negotiations, he's a real bulldozer.

Synonyms

• Demolish: To completely destroy a building or structure.
• Flatten: To make something flat or level.
• Steamroller: To overwhelm or force into submission through sheer power or pressure (very close figurative synonym).
• Coerce: To persuade someone to do something using force or threats.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• Bulldoze through: Similar to the figurative use, emphasizing the act of overcoming obstacles forcefully.
  • The government is trying to bulldoze through the controversial legislation before the election.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• To run/bulldoze roughshod over someone/something: To treat others with disregard or insensitivity while pursuing one's own goals. This idiom is closely related to the figurative sense of "bulldoze."
  • The CEO ran roughshod over employee concerns during the restructuring.

Verb

1. flatten with or as if with a bulldozer