give someone the push Definition

push
verb pushes, pushed, pushing

1. To exert pressure to force it away from one; to press, thrust or shove it.

Form: push against something (often)
Form: push at something
Form: push on something
2. To hold (eg a wheelchair, trolley, pram, etc) and move it forward in front of one.

Thesaurus: drive, propel, impel, accelerate, launch, actuate.
tr & intr
3. To force one's way, thrusting aside people or obstacles.

Thesaurus: force, thrust, shove, crowd, ram, exert, contend, strain.
Form: push through (often)
Form: push in
Form: push past
intr
4. To progress especially laboriously.
5. To force in a specified direction.

Example: push up prices
6. To coax, urge, persuade or goad them to do it.

Example: pushed me into agreeing
Form: push someone into something (often)
7. To pressurize someone (or oneself) into working harder, achieving more, etc.
8. To recommend it strongly; to campaign or press for it.

Form: push for something (usually)
9. To promote (products) or urge (acceptance of ideas).

Thesaurus: promote, advance, urge, expedite.
10. To sell (drugs) illegally.

noun pushes

1. An act of pushing; a thrust or shove.
2. A burst of effort towards achieving something.
3. Determination, aggression or drive.

Idiom: at a push

colloq
If forced; at a pinch.

Idiom: be pushing

colloq
To be nearly (a specified age).
Example: She is pushing 30

Idiom: get the push

colloq
To be dismissed from a job, etc; to be rejected by someone.

Idiom: give someone the push

To dismiss or reject them.

Etymology: 13c: from French pousser, from Latin pulsare, from pellere, pulsum.

Phrasal Verb: push someone around or about

To bully them; to treat them roughly.To dictate to them; to order them about.

Phrasal Verb: be pushed for something

To be short of (eg time or money).

Phrasal Verb: push off or along

To go away.

Phrasal Verb: push on

To continue on one's way or with a task, etc.

Phrasal Verb: push someone or something over

To knock them down.

Phrasal Verb: push something through

To force acceptance of (a proposal or bill, etc) by a legislative body, etc.