push

to effect or accomplish by thrusting obstacles aside: to push one's way through the crowd.

to cause to extend or project; thrust.

to press or urge to some action or course: His mother pushed him to get a job.

to press (an action, proposal, etc.) with energy and insistence: to push a bill through Congress.

to carry (an action or thing) toward a conclusion or extreme: She pushed the project to completion.

to press the adoption, use, sale, etc., of: to push inferior merchandise on customers.

to press or bear hard upon, as in dealings with someone: The prosecutor pushed him for an answer.

to put into difficulties because of the lack of something specified (usually followed by for): to be pushed for time.

Slang. to peddle (illicit drugs).

Informal. to be approaching a specific age, speed, or the like: The maestro is pushing ninety-two.

Photography. to modify (film processing) to compensate for underexposure.

to make one's way with effort or persistence, as against difficulty or opposition.

to extend or project; thrust: The point of land pushed far out into the sea.

to put forth vigorous or persistent efforts.

Slang. to sell illicit drugs.

to move on being pushed: a swinging door that pushes easily.

a vigorous onset or effort.

a determined advance against opposition, obstacles, etc.

a vigorous and determined military attack or campaign: The big push began in April.

the pressure of circumstances, activities, etc.

Informal. persevering energy; enterprise.

Informal. a crowd or company of people.

British. dismissal from a job; sack.

Australian Slang. a gang of hoodlums.

(when intr, often foll by for) to apply oneself vigorously (to achieving a task, plan, etc)

(tr) to encourage or urge (a person) to some action, decision, etc

(when intr, often foll by for) to be an advocate or promoter (of): to push for acceptance of one's theories

(tr) to use one's influence to help (a person): to push one's own candidate

to bear upon (oneself or another person) in order to achieve more effort, better results, etc: she was a woman who liked to push her husband

sport to hit (a ball) with a stiff pushing stroke

(tr) informal to sell (narcotic drugs) illegally

(intr; foll by out, into, etc) (esp of geographical features) to reach or extend: the cliffs pushed out to the sea

(tr) to overdevelop (a photographic film), usually by the equivalent of up to two stops, to compensate for underexposure or increase contrast

push up daisies or push up the daisies slang to be dead and buried

informal ambitious or enterprising drive, energy, etc

informal a special effort or attempt to advance, as of an army in a war: to make a push

informal a number of people gathered in one place, such as at a party

Australian slang a group or gang, esp one considered to be a clique

sport a stiff pushing stroke

at a push informal with difficulty; only just

the push informal, mainly British dismissal, esp from employment

when push comes to shove informal when matters become critical; when a decision needs to be made