push out
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To cause to move outward by applying force from within; to thrust outward. This is the core meaning, describing the physical act of forcing something outwards.
- To expel or force someone or something out of a position, group, or space. This extends the meaning to more figurative contexts, such as removing someone from a role or competition.
Usage Examples
- Verb (Physical Action):
- The baby is teething and keeps pushing out its tongue.
- The volcano pushed out a huge cloud of ash and gas.
- Verb (Figurative Expulsion):
- The new management pushed out several of the old employees.
- The larger company is trying to push out smaller competitors from the market.
Advanced Usage
- In Botany/Biology: Describes the growth or extension of a part from a main body.
- The plant pushes out new shoots every spring.
- In Economics/Business: Describes the effect of making something else leave a market or area.
- The aggressive pricing strategy pushed out less efficient producers.
Variants and Related Words
- Push-out (Noun): A person who has been forced to leave a situation, or the act of forcing out. (Less common)
- He was a push-out from the corporate structure.
- Oust (Verb): A stronger, more formal synonym for the figurative sense of removing from a position.
- Eject (Verb): Often used for a more forceful or mechanical expulsion.
Synonyms
- Expel: To force or drive out.
- Force out: To compel to leave.
- Thrust out: To push suddenly or violently outward.
- Protrude (for the physical sense): To extend outward or project.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Push aside: To move something out of the way, often ignoring it.
- He pushed aside the old papers to make space.
- Push away: To create distance, often emotionally.
- She pushed away her friends when she was depressed.
- Push back (against): To resist or oppose.
- The community pushed back against the new development plans.
Related Idioms
- Push out the boat (British): To celebrate lavishly; to be extravagant. (Note: This idiom uses the phrase but is a distinct expression.)
- They really pushed out the boat for their anniversary party.
- Push someone's buttons: To deliberately provoke a reaction from someone. (Conceptually related to causing an internal "push out" of emotion.)
- He knows exactly how to push my buttons and make me angry.
Verb
- push to thrust outward