to push down

106 2.0

Make something move down by using force

phrasal verb

: presionar

When you push down on the handle while turning the combination wheel, you can hear the bolt drop into the notch on the disc.
push down the prices
push down on the pedals
pushed down hard

This is why there's no force pushing down on you right now.

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Examples

Open up the clips, position the module in the socket, then push down firmly on both sides.
The nurse caught up with me just as I was about to push down on the release bar.

Fiction book (1997)
You got to push, push down as you pull it out.
Maybe it's me not having enough force to push down the hand plane.
You push down, you go down.

Modern Problems (1981)
And then I think you push down and let go of the button and then pull up.
Once you are prepared to take a shot, push down the button on the cord.

Blog text (1)
You push down on the spring, disengage the teeth like that.

Rescue Dawn (2007)
After a pause to relight his pipe, he pushed down on the rod to start the thing up.

Fiction book (2001)
To fix the printer jam, you need to push down on the lever firmly.

Synonyms

to down

vsto push down

∞ 5.5

Cause someone or something to fall and be defeated

is about applying force to move downward, not about defeat or falling only

to put down

vsto push down

∞ 1.0

To lower something from your hands onto a surface

involves force to cause downward movement rather than gentle placement

to take down

vsto push down

294 1.8

To move something from a high place to a lower place

emphasizes doing this by applying physical force rather than just moving

to knock down

vsto push down

167 3.0

Use force to make someone or something fall to the ground

covers moving downward by force without requiring a fall to ground

to bring down

vsto push down

Informal

153 4.3

Cause a person or thing to be worse, for example making someone feel sad

concerns physical force causing downward movement rather than worsening state

to pull down

vsto push down

149 3.2

To bring something or someone down from a higher place

focuses on causing downward movement specifically by applying force from above

to drag down

vsto push down

98 4.0

To pull something down by weight or force

involves force downward but not necessarily via pulling or weight

to set down

vsto push down

95 1.7

To put something or someone down gently on a surface

is more about applying force to cause downward motion than careful setting

to get down

vsto push down

84 1.6

To move something from a high place to a lower place

focuses on causing downward motion by applying force rather than simple relocation

to let down

vsto push down

38 2.0

Move something slowly from a higher to a lower position

implies using force to move downward rather than careful handling

to press down

vsto push down

31 2.5

To push something down with force to make it flat or close it

causes movement downward generally rather than focusing on flattening

to press down on

vsto push down

11 2.2

Push something down using your hand or weight

causes downward movement by force rather than stressing body weight use

to plunk down

vsto push down

Informal

5 6.7

To put something down so it makes a noise or to pay money quickly

is similar but covers any forceful downward action, not only abrupt setting

to depress

vsto push down

5 3.9

To press a button or key down

is broader, causing objects or people to move downward by force

to ram down

vsto push down

4 7.1

To force something down by hitting it hard

uses force too but is not necessarily a violent impact

to plank down

vsto push down

1 8.0

To put something down hard, often making a loud sound

focuses on causing downward motion by applied force rather than careless dropping

Antonyms

to lift up

111 1.1

To raise someone or something to a higher place

How Hard

to slam down

Informal

19 6.0

to push down

106 2.0

to press down

31 2.5

Surface Forms

push down infinitive

pushed down past

pushed down past participle

pushing down present participle

pushes down third person singular

Morphology

push + down

The meaning 'to cause someone or something to move downward by applying force' is directly and compositionally derived from 'push' (apply force) + 'down' (toward a lower position). This verb + directional particle pattern is common and transparent across many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should be able to infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Push down paints a simple picture: you push something so it moves down toward the ground or a flat surface. So it means 'to make someone or something move downward by force'.