give it a push

USAGE SUMMARY

"give it a push" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a phrase to mean make a little effort, give an extra bit of help to a situation, or provide assistance to something. For example, "We've been trying to fix this problem all morning. I think it needs a bit more help, so let's give it a push."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

So that may give it a push in terms of its level of authority.

The New York Times

Now Paramount, which inherited the project in its split with DreamWorks, is finally prepared to give it a push.

Huffington Post

"She should get on the bandwagon and give it a push".

The New York Times - Arts

The Nalanda project enjoys the support of Manmohan Singh, India's prime minister, which should give it a push in one of India's most dysfunctional states.

The Economist

If a CGI-animated movie about a talking koala whose best friends include a kangaroo, a platypus and a mouse doesn't have "exportable" written all over it, a bumper voiceover cast will give it a push along -- including True Blood's Ryan Kwanten (as Blinky), Toni Collette, David Wenham, Barry Humphries and Rufus Sewell.

The Guardian - Film

So the plan is to aim for an area, give it a push and hope for the best.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The battery was also dead, and we needed to give it a push-start.

The New York Times

The NFL Network has given it a push; it will cover the combine Thursday through Tuesday in Indianapolis.

The New York Times

The stream of photons pouring from the lasers on a smallish system, roughly the size of the International Space Station, would be able to alter an asteroid's orbit over time by giving it a push.

The Economist

But while I'm not sponsored by the brand (I promise), Run DMC certainly had no hesitation giving it a push, with 1986's My Adidas an uninhibited endorsement.

The Guardian - Music

Once the researchers had built the bike described online today in Science they gave it a push and discovered that it stayed upright almost until it came to a halt, correcting any leaning just as a normal bike does.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give it a push", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The project needs a push", specify "The project timeline needs a push to meet the deadline".

Common error

While "give it a push" is generally acceptable, it can sound too informal in certain professional or academic settings. Consider using more formal alternatives like "provide additional support" or "exert greater effort" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give it a push" functions as an idiomatic expression. According to Ludwig AI, it suggests applying extra effort or assistance to something to help it progress. It is often used to encourage action or to describe a situation where additional help is needed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give it a push" is a useful idiomatic phrase that means to provide extra effort or assistance to help something progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English. While generally acceptable, it may be too informal for professional or academic contexts, where alternatives like "provide additional support" or "exert greater effort" might be more appropriate. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, as well as in general conversational contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give a boost

This phrase is similar, but emphasizes a quick and temporary increase in momentum.

help out

This is a more informal way of saying to provide assistance.

lend a hand

This alternative implies offering assistance to someone.

offer support

This phrase indicates providing assistance or resources to help someone or something succeed.

provide encouragement

This alternative suggests boosting someone's confidence or motivation.

propel forward

This alternative suggests a strong and continuous forward movement.

exert effort

This phrase conveys the idea of applying energy or force towards a goal.

add momentum

Focuses on increasing the speed or force of something already in motion.

apply leverage

This alternative suggests using influence or resources to achieve a desired outcome.

bolster progress

Emphasizes strengthening the advancements already made.

FAQs

How can I use "give it a push" in a sentence?

You can use "give it a push" to suggest providing extra help or effort to something. For example, "The car won't start; we need to give it a push", or "The project needs a boost; let's give it a push".

What's a more formal alternative to "give it a push"?

In formal settings, you could use phrases like "provide additional support", "exert greater effort", or "apply more resources".

Is "give it a push" appropriate for business communication?

While generally understood, "give it a push" might be considered too informal for high-stakes business communication. Consider using more professional terms such as "provide impetus" or "offer assistance".

What does it mean to "give it a push" in project management?

In project management, "give it a push" typically means to make an additional effort to ensure the project progresses, often when facing obstacles or delays. It could involve reallocating resources or motivating the team.