push it away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "push it away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of moving something away from oneself, either physically or metaphorically. Example: "When the negative thoughts started to overwhelm her, she learned to push them away and focus on the positive aspects of her life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The two parts of Lisa Pathfinder heading out of Stevenage comprise the main satellite and the propulsion unit that will push it away from Earth to begin its mission.

BBC

The police hurried him into an ambulance, but it was hit with stones and its ignition key was stolen, forcing security forces to push it away.

The New York Times

If they push it away, he looks totally crushed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Take a sip, then push it away and order another one.

The Guardian

Doubt always creeps in, and you are always finding ways to push it away.

The Guardian

No matter how I try to push it away, the real world is always there.

The New York Times - Tech

And it's the easiest thing in the world to push it away, you just get a cappuccino.

The Guardian

Jeremy takes my hand to help me over a pile of bones and rubble, but I push it away.

The New Yorker

"It represents the love that would never go away no matter how much the world tried to push it away".

The New York Times

"It's sort of that they feel too close to something and feel they have to push it away".

The New York Times

"In men's wear, there's such a fine line where you can use fantasy and where you can push it away from reality," he added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "push it away" to describe both physical and metaphorical actions of distancing oneself from something unwanted. Ensure the context makes it clear whether the action is literal or figurative.

Common error

While "push it away" is widely understood, be mindful of overly formal contexts. In very formal writing, consider alternatives like "reject" or "dismiss" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "push it away" functions primarily as a verb of action, indicating the act of moving something, either physically or metaphorically, away from a particular point. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is valid and usable in English. Examples provided show various scenarios where something is being actively rejected or distanced.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "push it away" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the action of moving something away, whether physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used in English. As evidenced by its prevalence in news articles, scientific publications, and general writing, this phrase holds a neutral register and can be adapted to various contexts. While highly adaptable, it's important to consider the tone and audience, particularly in formal settings, where alternatives such as "reject" or "dismiss" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shove it aside

Implies a more forceful and abrupt rejection.

deflect it

Suggests redirecting or avoiding something, often in a skillful manner.

ward it off

Indicates preventing something from affecting you.

reject it

Expresses a firm refusal or denial.

dismiss it

Suggests treating something as unworthy of consideration.

brush it off

Implies minimizing the importance of something.

fend it off

Indicates resisting or defending against something.

avoid it

Simply means to keep away from something.

turn it down

Suggests refusing an offer or invitation.

rebuff it

Implies a blunt or abrupt rejection.

FAQs

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

You can use "push it away" to describe the act of physically moving something, as in, "She had to push the car away from the mud." Or, you can use it metaphorically to describe rejecting a thought or feeling, such as, "He tried to push the negative thoughts away."

What are some alternatives to "push it away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "shove it aside", "reject it", or "dismiss it". Choose the alternative that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Is "pushing it away" grammatically correct?

Yes, "pushing it away" is grammatically correct. It's the present participle form of the phrasal verb, often used in continuous tenses (e.g., "She is pushing it away") or as a gerund (e.g., "Pushing it away was difficult").

What is the difference between "push it away" and "pull it away"?

"Push it away" implies moving something further from oneself, while "pull it away" suggests bringing something closer to oneself but separating it from something else. The choice depends on the direction of movement relative to the subject.