push it a bit further

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'push it a bit further' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used when you want to encourage someone to strive to reach a higher level of accomplishment. For example, you could say to a student: "Your performance on the last test was good, but if you want to get a higher grade, you should push it a bit further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And yet I kept going back under, keen each time to push it a bit further.

The Guardian - Travel

"I started with 20 minutes a day, then decided to push it a bit further.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We've maybe pushed it a bit further than the idea has been pushed before.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He apologized perfunctorily, but when I pushed it a bit further he became defensive and said that the bone proved that the broth was, indeed, homemade.

The New York Times

"The Trumpcare bill is not a health-care bill — it's a cut-taxes-for-the-wealthy bill," Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, said at a press conference yesterday, and it has been obvious that is the Democratic line.* Today Nancy Pelosi pushed it a bit further, arguing that the bill would harm older and poorer people, who had, on the whole, voted for Trump.

The New Yorker

"Dave Lavery at NASA shared information about the type of craft being developed, and production designer Arthur Max and his team based their designs on current thinking in that area, while pushing it a bit further".

Vice

"With each real estate cycle, we push it a little bit further, but we never quite get there".

The New York Times

To achieve this, Schwartz admitted he had to "push it a little bit further in terms of choices of words or certain lyrics" while maintaining "the classic Walt Disney sensibility".

Wikipedia

So Zuckerberg is pushing it just a bit further.

The Guardian - Tech

I watch those episodes and I think each season [Matt Weiner] pushes it a little bit further and his storytelling gets more and more interesting.

Huffington Post

I then pushed it a little bit further and went to the library to read about history… but retained none of the information.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "push it a bit further" when encouraging someone to improve their performance or output, especially when they are already doing well. For example, in sports, business, or creative endeavors, this phrase is a versatile motivator.

Common error

Avoid using "push it a bit further" in situations where someone is already stressed or at their limit. It can come across as insensitive or demanding. Assess the situation to ensure it is a constructive suggestion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "push it a bit further" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression used for encouragement or motivation. It's typically employed to urge someone to make additional effort or to enhance the quality of their work, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

17%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "push it a bit further" is a commonly used phrase that serves as an encouraging nudge to enhance performance and strive for improvement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and suitable across various contexts, from news and media to casual conversation. While it has wide applicability, it's important to use it judiciously, being mindful of the recipient's current state and workload. Alternatives like ""go the extra mile"" or ""step it up"" can offer nuanced ways to express the same sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go the extra mile

Implies exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort beyond what is required, adding emphasis on the extra effort.

take it up a notch

Suggests elevating the quality or intensity of something; focuses on raising the current level.

step it up

Emphasizes increasing the effort or performance level quickly; conveys a sense of urgency.

exceed expectations

Focuses on surpassing anticipated results; highlighting the act of going beyond what was predicted.

stretch oneself

Implies personal growth and expanding one's capabilities; emphasizes personal development and pushing individual limits.

raise the bar

Indicates setting a new, higher standard; emphasizes establishing a new benchmark or goal.

advance the cause

Highlights promoting a particular aim; focuses on making progress towards a specific goal or purpose.

further the objective

Means to help something to develop successfully; focuses on contributing to the success of a specific objective.

reach for the stars

Suggests aiming for ambitious goals; emphasizes having high aspirations and attempting to achieve them.

surpass the limit

Focuses on exceeding the maximum boundaries; emphasizes going beyond established thresholds.

FAQs

How can I use "push it a bit further" in a sentence?

You can use "push it a bit further" to encourage someone to improve or go beyond their current level, for example: "Your design is good, but try to "push it a bit further" with the color palette".

What does "push it a bit further" mean in a professional setting?

In a professional context, "push it a bit further" suggests striving for excellence and exceeding expectations. It's about challenging oneself or others to reach new heights of performance or innovation. Think of it as striving to "go the extra mile".

Is it appropriate to tell someone to "push it a bit further" if they are already struggling?

While the intention might be positive, telling someone to "push it a bit further" when they're already struggling can be demotivating or perceived as insensitive. Consider offering support or alternative strategies instead. Focus on encouraging them to "step it up" when they are ready.

Which is more effective, "push it a bit further" or "exceed expectations"?

"Push it a bit further" is a more direct and actionable encouragement, while "exceed expectations" /s/exceed+expectations sets a goal to surpass anticipated results. The choice depends on the context; "push it a bit further" is better for immediate improvements, and "exceed expectations" /s/exceed+expectations is ideal for long-term goals.