press into service

Idioms  

1. Force someone or something to perform or function, as in Can I press you into service to help people find their coats? or The funeral drew such a large crowd that more chairs were pressed into service. This idiom transfers press in the sense of “seize and force someone to serve,” as seamen once were, to other activities. It was first recorded in 1871.

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Example Sentences

I'm foreman of the Ancients," roared the Cap'n, "and I have the right to press into service any craft I see passin'.

From The Skipper and the Skipped Being the Shore Log of Cap'n Aaron Sproul by Day, Holman

Unless you are a collector in the museum sense, press into service all of your beautiful possessions.

From The Art of Interior Decoration by Wood, Grace

In a corner of the absurd parlor were some wooden boxes that had held preserves, which the ranch carpenter had been made to press into service as a bookcase.

From The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Jordan, Charlotte Brewster

“So,” he finished, looking around at their absorbed 76 faces, “you see it is quite possible to press into service a number of airplanes without being bothered by interference.”

From The Radio Boys Trailing a Voice or, Solving a Wireless Mystery by Chapman, Allen

The Armstrong whose axe-makers it was proposed to press into service was John Armstrong, who was himself present at the meeting.

From The Story of the Upper Canada Rebellion by Dent, John Charles

Related Words

• admit
• appoint
• assign
• attract
• call up
• conscript
• employ
• engage
• enroll
• enter
• gather
• hire
• join
• mobilize
• recruit
• serve
• volunteer