push away

USAGE SUMMARY

"push away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe action to move something farther away from someone or something. Example sentence: She pushed away the large rocks blocking her path.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We can push away a little bit.

The Guardian - Sport

"I try to push away almost any music.

The Guardian - Music

Bend your elbows, then push away, and repeat.

The Guardian

Paradoxically, our inclination to push away uncomfortable feelings gives them more power over us.

The New York Times

Along the final climb, Nibali had to push away fans, who kept clinging to him.

The New York Times - Sports

"She will likely downplay the problem," said anothermom, "and push away any help.

The New York Times

Germany responded, with Schürrle forcing Romero to push away his attempt in the 37th minute.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That push away from the table is worth it for Savin.

The New York Times

Brodeur flopped on his belly to push away a shot by Atlanta center Patrik Stefan.

The New York Times - Sports

Ultimately, real cost control will require a strong push away from fee-for-service medicine.

The New Yorker

He said that if the fees "push away more disadvantaged kids or more disruptive kids, that becomes highly problematic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "push away" to describe actions that involve creating physical or emotional distance. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being pushed and the reason for the action.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "push away" to describe emotional reactions. Consider alternatives like "reject", "dismiss", or "avoid" to provide more nuanced descriptions of emotional distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "push away" functions primarily as a dynamic verb, describing an action of moving something or someone further away. Ludwig AI shows examples where it's used both literally (physically moving an object) and figuratively (rejecting emotions or help).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "push away" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that describes the action of creating distance, whether physical or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and finds its usage across a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific articles. While it is generally appropriate for neutral registers, consider more formal alternatives like "reject" or "repel" in professional writing. Be mindful of the specific nuance you wish to convey, as alternatives like "shove aside" or "fend off" may be more suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shove aside

Implies a forceful movement to create space or remove an obstacle, suggesting a more abrupt action than "push away".

fend off

Suggests resisting an attack or unwanted advance, indicating a defensive action not always present in "push away".

ward off

Similar to 'fend off', but can also imply preventing something negative from happening, not just physical pushing.

repel

Indicates a strong aversion and rejection, often used in a more formal or scientific context than "push away".

drive back

Implies forcing someone or something to retreat, suggesting a more aggressive or forceful action.

turn away

Focuses on refusing or rejecting something offered or approaching, rather than physically moving it.

deflect

Suggests changing the direction of something, often used metaphorically for avoiding questions or criticism.

dismiss

Indicates rejecting something as unimportant or irrelevant, a more mental or emotional action.

brush aside

Suggests treating something as insignificant and not worthy of attention, implying a lack of consideration.

set aside

Indicates removing something from consideration or use, often temporarily, differing from the more permanent implication of "push away".

FAQs

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

You can use "push away" to describe a physical action, like "She pushed away the plate of food", or an emotional reaction, such as "He tends to "push away help" when he's struggling".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "push away"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "fend off", "repel", or "shove aside". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "push away" or "push aside"?

"Push away" generally implies creating distance, while "push aside" suggests removing an obstacle. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize distancing or clearing a path.

When is it appropriate to use "push away" in a formal context?

While "push away" can be used in formal contexts, it's more common in neutral or informal settings. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "reject", "dismiss", or ""repel"" to maintain a more professional tone.