push aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "push aside" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "push aside" when you want to describe someone physically or metaphorically pushing something away to make room or get rid of it. For example, "The teacher pushed aside her desk to make room for the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scepticism is hard to push aside here.

Independent

As Amy grew up, she tried to push aside what had happened to her.

The New York Times - Magazine

Young, dynamic and clever, he is not afraid to push aside old, conservative know-nothings.

The Economist

Mr McLean had the determination to push aside the initial obstacles.

The Economist

Perhaps, too, rivals from the physical world will not easily push aside Internet brands.

The Economist

Maman walks past Papa to push aside the table and open the door.

The New Yorker

Still, they know they must not push aside Mr Harkin or the local Democratic machine.

The Economist

Combat engineers would also move in to push aside barricades and other obstacles.

The New York Times

I cannot push aside the clamor of our journey or the mess of my companions.

The New York Times

Yesterday, Dokic was in position to push aside the defending champion.

The New York Times - Sports

"Sometimes I would just push aside the food because she nags".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "push aside" to describe both physical and metaphorical actions, such as clearing obstacles or ignoring distractions.

Common error

Avoid using "push aside" in highly formal writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary may be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "disregard", "dismiss", or "supersede" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "push aside" functions primarily as a dynamic verb phrase, indicating an action of removing or disregarding something. Ludwig's examples illustrate both physical and abstract senses, such as removing obstacles or ignoring feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "push aside" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that signifies the act of removing something physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While adaptable across various contexts, be mindful of formality levels in certain formal writings where synonyms like "disregard" or "dismiss" may be more suitable. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, this expression frequently appears in news, science, and general writing, showcasing its widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shove away

Implies a physical pushing motion to create distance.

sweep aside

Suggests removing something quickly and decisively, often obstacles.

brush off

Indicates treating something lightly or as unimportant.

dismiss

Suggests rejecting something after consideration.

reject

Means to refuse to accept something.

disregard

Implies ignoring or dismissing something as unimportant.

wave away

Indicates a dismissive gesture, suggesting something is not worthy of attention.

set aside

Means to reserve or allocate something for a specific purpose, or to ignore something temporarily.

overrule

Implies rejecting a decision or authority.

displace

Suggests removing something and replacing it with something else.

FAQs

How can I use "push aside" in a sentence?

You can use "push aside" to describe physically moving something, like "He had to push aside the branches to see the path", or metaphorically ignoring something, as in "She tried to push aside her doubts and continue with the project".

What's a more formal way to say "push aside"?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "disregard", "dismiss", or "supersede" depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

Is "push aside" only used for physical actions?

No, "push aside" can be used both for physical actions, like pushing an object, and for metaphorical actions, like ignoring or dismissing a thought or feeling.

Which is correct, "push aside" or "put aside"?

Both "push aside" and "put aside" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Push aside" often implies a more forceful or immediate action, while "put aside" suggests setting something aside for later or for a specific purpose.