nudge aside

USAGE SUMMARY

"nudge aside" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to gently pushing something or someone out of the way or prioritizing something else. Example: "She nudged aside the papers to make room for her coffee." Alternative expressions include "push aside" and "set aside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

For now, though, don't let exergames nudge aside your participation in "real" sports and recreational activities.

Harvard University

— tends to nudge aside the many other ethnic communities within Montreal's remarkably diverse urban sprawl.

The New York Times - Travel

The role of the prompter, beyond the immediate effect of specific cues on the music, serves also to nudge aside the musicians' egos.

The New York Times - Arts

Well, maybe it's time for a bit of snooping -- to nudge aside those Architectural Digests and see what the well-to-do are really reading.

The New York Times

Before long, they say, chicken wings were on the dinner menu instead of being served gratis at the bar — and were beginning to nudge aside the Italian food that had always been the Anchor Bar's specialty.

The New Yorker

A major aim of "Across an Untried Sea" (a title drawn from a newspaper verse about Columbus) is to nudge aside the bust of Story and replace it with Cushman's "blunt, no-nonsense face".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Were they nudged aside?

The New York Times - Books

For Cole that means nudging aside Jones, Owen Franks and Nicolas Mas.

The Guardian - Sport

What is more, such asteroids could, in principle, be identified and, with plausible technology, nudged aside.

The Economist

Weighty and capacious, they nudged aside the canvas backpack as a totem of hipster chic.

The New York Times

Conservative elders were nudged aside by the young who could speak Portuguese with the company officials.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This phrase is particularly effective in metaphorical contexts, such as when one idea or trend slowly gains prominence over another.

Common error

Do not use "nudge aside" when you mean to imply total dismissal or disregard. For ignoring an argument or person, use "brush aside"; "nudge aside" implies the physical or metaphorical act of moving something to make space for yourself or something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nudge aside" functions as a transitive verb phrase or a phrasal verb composed of the verb "nudge" and the adverbial particle "aside". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it consistently takes a direct object, whether a physical entity like a "coffee table" or an abstract concept like "musicians' egos". Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and highly usable expression in written English.

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Social Media

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nudge aside" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of moving something to the side to create space or room for another. Whether used physically (to move an object) or metaphorically (to replace an idea or person), it conveys a sense of delicate transition rather than brute force. Ludwig AI highlighting its use in major publications like The New Yorker and The New York Times confirms that it is a reliable choice for writers seeking to describe incremental change or displacement with precision and evocative imagery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

push aside

Suggests a more forceful or deliberate movement than a nudge

edge out

Commonly used in competitive contexts where one entity gradually replaces another

displace

A more formal and neutral term for taking the place of something else

supplant

Formal term specifically meaning to replace something that was already established

elbow out

An idiomatic expression implying a more aggressive or crowded displacement

brush aside

Focuses more on dismissing or ignoring something rather than just moving it

supersede

Refers to being replaced by something more modern or effective

sideline

Implies moving something to a position of less importance

marginalize

Used when the displacement results in a loss of power or social standing

sweep aside

Suggests a quick and comprehensive removal of an obstacle

FAQs

How do I use "nudge aside" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical movement, like "He had to "nudge aside" the heavy curtains to see out," or metaphorically, such as "Streaming services have continued to "nudge aside" traditional radio."

What is a more formal way to say "nudge aside"?

Depending on your context, you can use more formal verbs like "supplant", "displace", or "supersede".

What is the difference between "nudge aside" and "push aside"?

While both mean to move something to the side, "push aside" is generally more forceful, whereas "nudge aside" suggests a gentler or more incremental shift.

Can "nudge aside" be used for people?

Yes, it is often used in political or professional contexts to describe someone being gently removed from power, such as "The veteran leader was eventually "nudge aside" to make room for younger candidates."