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Glite Dictionary
to push it

to push it

116 5.3
To try very hard to do more than usual
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
: darlo todo
  • I'll try not to, you know, push it quite as hard at the gym.
  • push it too far
  • push it hard
  • try to push it

Why wouldn't we take this grand challenge and and push it as hard as we can?

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Examples

  • If we push it a bit further, we might achieve the results we aim for.

  • Why wouldn't we take this grand challenge and and push it as hard as we can?

    Lex Fridman

  • I just never had the time to pull resources from other projects to push it forward.

    Blog text (4)

  • Okay, I underestimated what we were up against, and I pushed it too far.

    Twisters (2024)

  • Twenty-five kilometers in one day was pushing it, though she should have known that.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • I think we should continue to promote positive incentives for Iran and at the same time push it to make all its programs transparent and open.

    Academic text (2010)

  • The team decided to push it harder this quarter to exceed their sales targets.

  • She always pushes it to improve her skills in every competition she enters.

Synonyms

to try
vsto push it
∞ 1.0

To make an effort to do something difficult

is a stronger, determined effort beyond a normal attempt
to push
vsto push it
∞ 1.5

To try hard to achieve something, especially against difficulty

adds the idea of going beyond normal effort or expectation
to push through
vsto push it
98 3.6

To keep going despite problems until you finish

is about trying very hard specifically to exceed normal results
to strain
vsto push it
89 4.2

To use a lot of effort to do something difficult

focuses more on trying especially to exceed usual effort levels
to push forward
vsto push it
52 3.1

To keep making progress despite problems

focuses on making special effort to go beyond usual performance
to go all out
vsto push it
42 4.1

To try as hard as you can with a lot of energy

is about making a special strong effort rather than general enthusiasm
to push on
vsto push it
42 3.7

Move forward or keep going despite difficulty

leans more toward making an extra effort beyond what is expected
to push the envelope
vsto push it
35 7.3

To try new ideas that go beyond accepted limits

is about making extra effort rather than innovating or changing limits
to go to great lengths
vsto push it
26 4.1

Try very hard to make something happen

is about special strong effort, not necessarily extreme or risky
to go above and beyond
vsto push it
16 3.7

To do more than is required to help others or complete a task

shares extra effort idea but highlights surpassing normal expectations
to put out
vsto push it
13 5.0

Make a lot of effort to do something

is specifically about trying very hard to go beyond expectations
to push to the limit
vsto push it
13 5.1

Make a person or thing work as hard as possible until they cannot keep going

means making an extra strong effort beyond normal expectations
to move heaven and earth
vsto push it
  • Informal
8 4.2

Do everything you can to achieve something important

matches the idea of special effort but less dramatic in wording
to go to the ends of the earth
vsto push it
4 5.9

To try very hard and do anything to achieve something

focuses on strong extra effort rather than limitless measures
to hit the accelerator
vsto push it
  • Informal
2 4.4

To try harder or work faster to reach a goal

is similar but covers general extra effort beyond normal pace
to push it to the limit
vsto push it
  • Informal
1 7.2

Use all your energy and take big risks to test your skill

focuses on making a special effort beyond what is usual
to extend oneself
vsto push it
1 6.9

To make a big effort beyond your usual limits

expresses the same extra effort idea but with general emphasis
to make a fist of
vsto push it
  • UK
1 8.2

Try hard to do a difficult task and succeed a little

focuses more on making an exceptional effort beyond ordinary attempts
to push into overdrive
vsto push it
1 6.1

To work much harder and faster to get something done

is similar but centers on sustained special effort beyond normal
to go out of one's way
vsto push it
  • Informal
1 3.5

Make a special effort to do something, often to help someone

is about trying very hard generally, not only to assist others
to put in a hundred and ten percent
vsto push it
  • Informal
5.9

To work as hard as you can, often more than expected

aims similarly to exceed usual effort but in general situations
to give it the gun
vsto push it
  • Informal
9.8

To try very hard and work quickly to finish something

is similar but emphasizes going beyond usual effort broadly
to push oneself harder
vsto push it
3.5

Try much harder to work or train

is broader, meaning to make a special effort beyond the usual
to put one's shoulder to the wheel
vsto push it
  • Informal
7.5

To start working very hard to reach a goal

shares hard work idea but stresses exceeding usual effort overall

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

to slack off
  • Informal
20 3.9

To become less strong or busy

How Hard

to go all out
42 4.1
to push it
  • Informal
116 5.3
to try
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

push it infinitive
pushed it past
pushed it past participle
pushing it present participle
pushes it third person singular

Morphology

push + it

The verb 'push' carries a clear sense of exerting force or effort which maps onto 'making a special effort', so a learner who knows 'push' could partially infer the intended meaning. However, the pronoun 'it' is vague and the phrase is used idiomatically in contexts like 'don't push it' (meaning 'don't overdo it' or 'don't push your luck'), so the exact sense and range of uses are not fully predictable without exposure.

Etymology

Push it comes from a clear image: you push something heavy — the 'it' — like a car up a hill, so you must use extra effort. So, to push it means 'to make a special effort' or 'to try harder than usual'.