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to bull

to bull

7 8.1
To push through a crowd or barrier using force
  • verb
  • /bʊl/
  • Informal
translation icon : abrirse paso a empujones
  • When the road ahead was blocked, he decided to bull his way through the crowd, determined to reach the stage.

And they knew that hey, if we really bull rush right here, we're going to be able to breakthrough.

Examples

  • His jaw set, and he bulled his way against the rush, but he lost.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • In too much distress to feel regret, he bulled ahead on instinct alone.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • And they knew that hey, if we really bull rush right here, we're going to be able to breakthrough.

  • Amsterdam bulls his way through the people to the street.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • But sometimes I guess you just have to bull on ahead or you'll never get through.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Remember those hippies you brought out to the farm... ...and they got stuck in their van trying to turn around and they had to just bull their way out of it.

  • When I had the ball, I outmuscled him, backing him down to the basket and bulling past him for a layup.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Before yet another raucous sell-out crowd here in Charlestown, the mighty Chiefs battered, bruised, and bullied their way to a 4-2 win.

  • She had to bull her way through the dense brush in order to find a path to the campsite.

  • During the final quarter, the player managed to bull ahead and score the winning touchdown despite the strong defense.

Synonyms

to muscle
vsto bull
  • Informal
39 6.6

To push into a place using physical strength or influence

relies on physical force rather than also using influence
to bull through
vsto bull
  • Informal
1 8.1

To push something through when others strongly oppose it

is about pushing or moving with brute strength rather than only insisting
to bullrush through
vsto bull
  • UK
8.9

Move quickly through a crowd while pushing people aside

is general determined pushing, not specifically fast crowd movement

Antonyms

11 4.4

To move aside to let someone or something pass

Idioms

To deal with a difficult problem directly and bravely

3 7.2

A clumsy or careless person who causes damage in delicate situations

To chat in a relaxed way about everyday things

Face a difficult problem directly and bravely

Doing something suddenly and forcefully without thinking because you are very eager

9.9

Something someone says that is not true

Talk in a relaxed, joking way and make stories bigger to be funny

Phrasal Verbs

to bull through
  • Informal
1 8.1

To push something through when others strongly oppose it

Compounds

40 3.9

A strong, muscular dog often kept as a pet and known for loyalty

bull market
  • Specialized
17 4.5

A time when stock prices rise and many people who buy shares feel confident

bull shark
  • Specialized
7 6.7

A large aggressive shark that lives in warm shallow water near coasts and in rivers

3 7.5

One of two major Civil War battles that took place near a creek in Virginia

3 3.4

A strong short-haired dog with a muscular body and an egg-shaped head

bull dyke
  • Slur
2 9.9

An offensive word for a lesbian who looks or acts very manly and tough

An early Civil War battle in Virginia where Confederate forces defeat Union troops

1 6.3

An absurd lie used to avoid blame or trick someone

bull session
  • Informal
1 7.9

A casual group conversation without a set topic

A strong, muscular dog breed from the United States with a short coat and high energy

John Bull
  • Literature
1 9.3

A character who stands for England or a typical English person

papal bull
  • Formal
1 9.9

An official paper from the pope sealed with a lead seal

1 4.0

A large strong dog that protects people and homes

1 8.9

A former US political party started by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 that supported progressive reforms

1 7.4

A very thick, short neck that makes someone look strong

A strong dog with short fur that is often loyal and brave

blue bull
  • Indian
9.1

A large deer-like animal from India whose male has a blue-grey coat and whose female is brown and hornless

A small American dog with a short smooth dark coat, white patches, and a flat face

8.8

A tree that keeps its leaves all year with large shiny leaves and big white fragrant flowers

bull butter
  • Archaic
9.9

Talk that is not true and that people do not believe

bull fiddle
  • Archaic
9.1

A very large string instrument like a big violin that makes low sounds

bull gravy
  • Archaic
9.9

Talk that is not true and meant to trick people

9.9

A rough prickly plant from North America with pale yellow flowers and small berries

bull nose
  • Specialized
9.9

A pig disease causing swelling and redness of the nose

8.1

A tall pine tree with dark green needles in groups of two to five and thick dark bark when mature

6.9

A creek in northeastern Virginia where two Civil War battles took place

6.9

A large North American snake that eats rodents, lives in burrows, and is not venomous

8.2

A tall prickly plant with large purple flower heads often found as a weed

bull tongue
  • Archaic
9.9

A heavy plow with one wide blade that breaks soil for cotton

bull-thrower
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who says things in a direct, often rude way and does not listen

7.2

A false story people tell to hide the real reason

A major early Civil War battle fought in July 1861 near Manassas, Virginia that the Confederate army won

9.9

A lesbian woman who is openly confident, shows a masculine style, and takes back an offensive name

A star sign represented by a bull from about April 20 to May 20

A strong, medium-sized English dog with a stocky body, smooth coat, and friendly nature

How Forceful

to bulldoze
29 4.2
to ram
1 4.1
to bull
  • Informal
7 8.1
to shove
528 2.7
to nudge
33 3.8

Surface Forms

bull infinitive
bulled past
bulled past participle
bulling present participle
bulls third person singular

Etymology

The verb bull meaning to force or push through comes from the idea of a bull using its power to push, so to bull your way through is to force your way forward.