push him away

USAGE SUMMARY

"push him away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in sentences where someone is physically pushing another person away, or in a more figurative sense to mean rejecting or distancing oneself from someone. Example 1 (literal meaning): The angry man continued to push him away, even as the crowd tried to pull them apart. Example 2 (figurative meaning): She knew she had to push him away and focus on her own happiness, even though she still had feelings for him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Smith turned around and tried to push him away.

The New Yorker

Shocked and scared, she managed to push him away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She didn't touch him, but she didn't push him away, either.

The New Yorker

Upon impact, he said, "I used my arms to push him away from me".

The New York Times

He knew all about the issue, but he let people push him away from it.

The New Yorker

I had to push him away because I was trying to stay away from his head.

The Guardian - Sport

I tried to push him away with my head but I should not have done that.

The Guardian - Sport

And an audio clip offers assurance that Kobilka hasn't let scientific fame push him away from his roots as the son of hardworking Midwestern bakers.

Stanford University

No matter how often she tried to push him away, Jake wouldn't take no for an answer.

The New York Times

Evans said he used his left arm to push him away, in an instantaneous move "to defend myself, to get him away from me".

Independent

But during that picnic, Mr. Akassy pressed his body against hers and kissed her, and she had to push him away with her arms and knees, she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "push him away" when describing either a physical act of creating space or a more figurative act of emotional distancing. Ensure the context makes the intent clear.

Common error

While "push him away" is widely understood, consider more formal alternatives like "reject his advances" or "distance yourself from him" in academic or professional writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "push him away" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes an action, either physical or figurative, where someone actively creates distance between themselves and another person. As Ludwig illustrates, the phrase can denote resisting advances, rejecting help, or simply creating space.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "push him away" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of creating distance from someone, either physically or emotionally. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse sources, confirming its widespread usability. While the phrase is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain contexts. The analysis indicates frequent usage in news and media, wiki sources, and science. As Ludwig AI confirms, the meaning is versatile, encompassing both literal physical actions and figurative rejections. The phrase’s high frequency and clear meaning make it a readily understood and effective expression in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rebuff his advances

Highlights the act of resisting unwanted romantic gestures.

reject him

Implies a more direct and decisive refusal of someone's advances or presence.

keep him at arm's length

Emphasizes maintaining a safe distance, both physically and emotionally.

shove him aside

Focuses on a more forceful, physical act of displacement.

turn him down

Refers specifically to refusing a romantic advance or request.

ward him off

Indicates preventing someone from getting too close or intimate.

distance yourself from him

Emphasizes creating emotional or social separation.

fend him off

Suggests warding off someone's persistent or aggressive approach.

brush him off

Suggests dismissing someone in a casual or indifferent manner.

dissuade him

Implies actively discouraging him from pursuing a particular course of action or relationship.

FAQs

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

You can use "push him away" to describe a physical action, such as "She had to push him away when he got too close", or a figurative action, such as "She decided to push him away to focus on her career".

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "reject him", "dissuade him", or "rebuff his advances" depending on the context.

Is "push him away" grammatically correct?

Yes, "push him away" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various written contexts.

What does it mean to "keep him at arm's length" instead of "push him away"?

Keep him at arm's length suggests maintaining a safe distance, either physically or emotionally, while "push him away" implies a more active rejection or distancing.