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to push on

to push on

21 3.7
Move forward or keep going despite difficulty
  • phrasal verb
  • /pʊʃ ɑn/
translation icon : seguir adelante
  • After resting for a bit, they decided to push on and finish the hike.

No, he will muster the courage to push on until he is the Wiener.

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Examples

Synonyms

to continue
vsto push on
1.0

To keep doing something without stopping

specifies continuing forward with effort or determination rather than simple continuation
to go on
vsto push on
1.0

Keep happening or keep being done without stopping

adds a sense of forward movement and determined effort rather than mere persistence
to push
vsto push on
731 1.5

To try hard to achieve something, especially against difficulty

is action of continuing forward in many situations, not only trying hard
to keep going
vsto push on
357 1.6

To continue doing something without stopping

adds the idea of effortful forward movement rather than mere continuity
to keep on
vsto push on
306 1.4

Continue doing something without stopping

is similar but stresses doing so with effort and determination
to carry on
vsto push on
253 2.7

To continue doing something after an interruption or when it is difficult

focuses on moving forward with effort rather than resuming after pause
to hold on
vsto push on
173 3.3

To keep trying and not give up when things are hard

is the active motion version of the same determined continuation
to get on with
vsto push on
168 2.3

Continue doing something, especially after an interruption

is the more general act of continuing with effort or direction
to keep it moving
vsto push on
  • Informal
161 4.4

Move forward without stopping or slowing down

is about continuing with effort, not only steady, uninterrupted movement
to keep it up
vsto push on
87 3.0

Continue doing something well with the same effort

is about continuing forward especially when effort or determination is needed
to move along
vsto push on
81 3.0

Go forward or leave a place when someone tells you to

is focused on continuing with personal effort rather than obeying direction
to move ahead
vsto push on
61 2.7

To start or continue something so it gets closer to a goal

is similar but stresses effortful forward motion rather than neutral progress
to hang on
vsto push on
  • Informal
46 3.3

To continue doing something and refuse to give up

is about moving forward with effort rather than simply clinging on
to push through
vsto push on
39 3.6

To keep going despite problems until you finish

is about moving forward with effort but not always forcefully
to march on
vsto push on
30 3.3

Move forward in a steady, determined way

focuses on continuing forward with effort rather than steady inevitability
to press on
vsto push on
26 3.9

To keep going with a task even when it is hard

focuses on continuing forward with determination rather than mere persistence
to persevere
vsto push on
22 5.1

Keep trying to do something even when it is hard

is action-focused continuation with effort rather than broader endurance
to push forward
vsto push on
19 3.1

To keep making progress despite problems

is similar but covers both action and effort to continue
to carry on with
vsto push on
19 2.6

Continue doing something after a pause or interruption

is about ongoing forward effort even without a prior pause
to go the distance
vsto push on
16 4.6

To keep working on a task until it is finished, even when it is hard

is similar but often describes ongoing movement with effort, not only finishing
to crack on
vsto push on
  • UK
9 6.8

To keep working on something quickly and with energy

is the general act of continuing forward, possibly with steady effort
to power through
vsto push on
  • Informal
8 4.2

Continue and finish a task with strong effort when it is hard or you are tired

emphasizes steady continuation with effort rather than sheer force
to march forward
vsto push on
3 3.7

To move forward steadily despite problems

is about forward movement combined with effort rather than steady march alone
to plow ahead
vsto push on
  • US
3 4.7

Continue doing something even when there are problems

is the broader act of moving forward with effort
to plough on
vsto push on
  • UK
1 5.0

Keep doing something despite difficulty or others telling you to stop

means to continue forward with effort, not only against others
to keep on pushing through
vsto push on
  • Informal
5.1

To continue to try hard even when things are difficult

is broader, meaning continue forward with determination in many cases
5.3

To keep trying and do well despite difficult times

is the general idea of continuing with determination, not only success

Antonyms

1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

How Determined

to persevere
22 5.1
to push on
21 3.7
to press on
26 3.9
to carry on
253 2.7
to continue
1.0

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

push + on

The meaning 'to continue moving forward or continue doing something' is directly derivable from combining 'push' (exert force/move forward) with the particle 'on' (indicating continuation or persistence). This V+particle pattern is a common, compositional phrasal‑verb structure in English (and has parallels in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will generally infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The phrasal verb push on comes from the simple picture of using push to move something on, like a heavy cart, or of pushing yourself to keep walking when you are tired. So, it means 'to continue moving forward' or 'to keep going with something even when it is hard'.