Definition

1. Noun:
   • An easy task or undertaking: Something that requires little effort or is very simple to accomplish.
   • A person who is easily persuaded, defeated, or taken advantage of: Someone who offers little resistance to pressure, influence, or manipulation.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to an easy task:

  • The final exam was a pushover; everyone passed easily.
  • Fixing the leaky faucet turned out to be a pushover for the experienced plumber.

• Referring to a person:

  • Don't ask him to negotiate; he's a pushover and will agree to their first offer.
  • She might seem tough, but she's a real pushover when her children ask for something.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The term often carries a slightly informal or colloquial tone.
• When describing a person, it can imply a lack of strength, willpower, or assertiveness, sometimes with a connotation of being gullible.
• is a common phrase used to emphasize that someone is not easily influenced or defeated.

Variants and Related Words

• Push over (verb phrase): To cause something to fall by applying force. This is a separate phrasal verb and not a variant of the noun "pushover."
  • The strong winds nearly pushed over the fence.

Synonyms

• For an easy task: cinch, breeze, walkover, piece of cake, snap.
• For a person: soft touch, easy mark, sucker (slang), doormat (informal, implying one is treated with disrespect).

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Be a pushover for (something/someone): To be very fond of or easily persuaded by something or someone.
  • He's a pushover for chocolate cake. (He finds it irresistible.)
  • She's a pushover for a sad story. (She is easily moved to pity.)

Noun

1. any undertaking that is easy to do
   • marketing this product will be no picnic
2. someone who is easily taken advantage of