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Glite Dictionary
to muscle into

to muscle into

1 7.4
Force your way into a group, place, or activity using strength and influence
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈmʌsəl ˈɪntu/
  • Informal
translation icon : imponerse
  • Avery muscles his way into the session.
  • muscled way into
  • try to muscle into

Examples

  • The new competitor tried to muscle into the market, using aggressive advertising tactics.

  • He starts to resist the agents and must be muscled into the chopper.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • "Ex-con muscles his way into the art world."

    The Con Artist (2010)

  • Sam bolts to the head of the line and muscles his way into the cab.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • After the merger, several smaller firms attempted to muscle into the industry.

  • He was determined to muscle into the decision-making team at work, despite lacking experience.

Synonyms

to muscle
vsto muscle into
  • Informal
39 6.6

To push into a place using physical strength or influence

is broader and includes influence or aggressive tactics beyond physical force
to move in on
vsto muscle into
8 6.3

To start taking control of a business or area without being invited

implies using force, influence, or aggressive tactics rather than mere involvement
to push in
vsto muscle into
  • UK
5 5.6

To join a line or enter a place without waiting your turn

is stronger, involving deliberate force or influence rather than mere rudeness
to push one's way through
vsto muscle into
4 3.9

Move forward by getting past people or things blocking the way

also covers forcing entry by influence or aggressive pressure, not just pushing
to shoulder in
vsto muscle into
1 7.2

To push into a crowd or group using your body to get ahead

is broader and includes influence or other aggressive tactics besides pushing
to get one's claws into
vsto muscle into
  • Informal
1 8.4

To become strongly involved in something and take control of it

focuses more on using force or influence to gain access or control

Antonyms

to retreat
235 4.0

To move back from a place or plan to avoid danger

How Forceful

to storm
70 4.4
to muscle into
  • Informal
1 7.4
to barge in
  • Informal
59 5.5
to push
731 1.5
to edge in
5 5.3
to sneak in
  • Informal
75 3.8

Surface Forms

muscle into infinitive
muscled into past
muscled into past participle
muscling into present participle
muscles into third person singular

Morphology

muscle + into

The components 'muscle' (strength/power) and 'into' (movement inside) transparently suggest forcing entry or influence, so a learner knowing both words can often infer 'to force one's way into.' However, the phrase is a metaphorical extension (including using influence or aggressive tactics rather than literal physical force) and carries pragmatic/idiomatic nuances that may not be fully predictable without exposure.

Etymology

The phrasal verb muscle into comes from the strong image of using literal muscle to push yourself into a crowd or place. That's why it means 'to force your way into' a group, conversation, or market, often by pressure or force.