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to push down

to push down

16 2.0
Make something move down by using force
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 put down
vsto push down
812 1.0

To lower something from your hands onto a surface

involves force to cause downward movement rather than gentle placement
to let down
vsto push down
180 2.0

Move something slowly from a higher to a lower position

implies using force to move downward rather than careful handling
to knock down
vsto push down
93 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 set down
vsto push down
70 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 down
vsto push down
51 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 get down
vsto push down
44 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 take down
vsto push down
39 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 bring down
vsto push down
  • Informal
36 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 drag down
vsto push down
29 4.0

To pull something down by weight or force

involves force downward but not necessarily via pulling or weight
to press down
vsto push down
18 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
8 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
6 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 pull down
vsto push down
5 3.2

To bring something or someone down from a higher place

focuses on causing downward movement specifically by applying force from above
to depress
vsto push down
4 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
1 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
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

107 1.1

To raise someone or something to a higher place

How Hard

to slam down
  • Informal
14 6.0
to push down
16 2.0
to press down
18 2.5

Surface Forms

push down infinitive
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'.