▸ push over
1 PHRASAL VERB If you push someone or something over , you push them so that they fall onto the ground. □ [V P n] People have damaged hedges and pushed over walls. □ [V n P ] Anna is always attacking other children, pushing them over.
2 → see also pushover
▸ push through PHRASAL VERB If someone pushes through a law, they succeed in getting it accepted although some people oppose it. □ [V P n] The vote will enable the Prime Minister to push through tough policies. □ [V n P n] He tried to push the amendment through Parliament. [Also V n P ]
push|back /pʊ ʃbæk/ N‑UNCOUNT Pushback is a negative response to a change or a plan, often a refusal to accept it. □ There's been a lot of pushback from conservatives on this issue.
pu sh bike (push bikes ) N‑COUNT A push bike is a bicycle which you move by turning the pedals with your feet. [BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ]
pu sh-button ADJ [ADJ n] A push-button machine or process is controlled by means of buttons or switches. □ …push-button phones.
push|cart /pʊ ʃkɑː r t/ (pushcarts ) N‑COUNT A pushcart is a cart from which fruit or other goods are sold in the street. [AM ] in BRIT, use barrow
push|chair /pʊ ʃtʃeə r / (pushchairs ) N‑COUNT A pushchair is a small chair on wheels, in which a baby or small child can sit and be wheeled around. [BRIT ] in AM, use stroller
pushed /pʊ ʃt/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are pushed for something such as time or money, you do not have enough of it. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [+ for ] He's going to be a bit pushed for money. in AM, use pressed for
2 PHRASE If you are hard pushed to do something, you find it very difficult to do it. [BRIT ] □ I'd be hard pushed to teach him anything.
push|er /pʊ ʃə r / (pushers ) N‑COUNT A pusher is a person who sells illegal drugs. [INFORMAL ] □ …drug pushers.
push|ing /pʊ ʃ I ŋ/ PREP If you say that someone is pushing a particular age, you mean that they are nearly that age. [INFORMAL ] □ Pushing 40, he was an ageing rock star.
push|over /pʊ ʃoʊvə r / (pushovers )
1 N‑COUNT You say that someone is a pushover when you find it easy to persuade them to do what you want. [INFORMAL ] □ He is a tough negotiator. We did not expect to find him a pushover and he has not been one.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You say that something is a pushover when it is easy to do or easy to get. [INFORMAL ] □ You might think Hungarian a pushover to learn. It is not.
pu sh-up (push-ups ) N‑COUNT Push-ups are exercises to strengthen your arms and chest muscles. They are done by lying with your face towards the floor and pushing with your hands to raise your body until your arms are straight. [AM ] in BRIT, use press-ups
pushy /pʊ ʃi/ (pushier , pushiest ) ADJ If you describe someone as pushy , you mean that they try in a forceful way to get things done as they would like. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ She was a confident and pushy young woman.
pu|sil|lani|mous /pjuː s I læ n I məs/ ADJ If you say that someone is pusillanimous , you mean that they are timid or afraid. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The authorities have been too pusillanimous in merely condemning the violence.
puss /pʊ s/ N‑COUNT People sometimes call a cat by saying ' Puss '.
pussy /pʊ si/ (pussies )
1 N‑COUNT Pussy is a child's word for a cat.
2 N‑COUNT Some people use pussy to refer to a woman's genitals. [INFORMAL , VERY RUDE ]
pussy|cat /pʊ sikæt/ (pussycats )
1 N‑COUNT Children or people talking to children often refer to a cat as a pussycat .
2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a pussycat , you think that they are kind and gentle.
pussy|foot /pʊ sifʊt/ (pussyfoots , pussyfooting , pussyfooted ) VERB If you say that someone is pussyfooting around , you are criticizing them for behaving in a too cautious way because they are not sure what to do and are afraid to commit themselves. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Why don't they stop pussyfooting around and say what they really mean? [Also V ]
pus|tule /pʌ stʃuːl/ (pustules ) N‑COUNT A pustule is a small infected swelling on the skin. [MEDICAL ]
put ◆◆◆ /pʊ t/ (puts , putting ) The form put is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle. Put is used in a large number of expressions which are explained under other words in this dictionary. For example, the expression to put someone in the picture is explained at picture . 1 VERB When you put something in a particular place or position, you move it into that place or position. □ [V n prep/adv] Leaphorn put the photograph on the desk. □ [V n prep/adv] She hesitated, then put her hand on Grace's arm. □ [V n with adv] Mishka put down a heavy shopping bag.
2 VERB If you put someone somewhere, you cause them to go there and to stay there for a period of time. □ [V n prep/adv] Rather than put him in the hospital, she had been caring for him at home. □ [V n prep/adv] I'd put the children to bed.
3 VERB To put someone or something in a particular state or situation means to cause them to be in that state or situation. □ [V n prep/adv] This is going to put them out of business. □ [V n prep/adv] He was putting himself at risk. □ [V n prep/adv] My doctor put me in touch with a psychiatrist.
4 VERB To put something on people or things means to cause them to have it, or to cause them to be affected by it. □ [V n + on ] The ruling will put extra pressure on health authorities. □ [V n + on ] They will also force schools to put more emphasis on teaching basic subjects.