push past

USAGE SUMMARY

"push past" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something braving through a difficult or challenging situation. Example: She had to push past her fear of public speaking in order to deliver the speech.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We didn't push past anybody," he said.

The New York Times

But they have yet to push past that threshold.

The New York Times - Sports

I push past protesters to get in to the meeting.

The Guardian

When mutual sacrifice is required, it can be hard to push past impasse.

Harvard University

He tried to push past Jimmy and his brother Harry who were waiting to be served.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pietersen finds his post-tea rhythm with an effortlessly push past long on for four.

The Guardian - Sport

"Just let us in?" Frank and Larry push past, into the hospital.

The Guardian - Film

And at the center of those gifts is Yang's eagerness to push past boundaries.

The Washington Post

Lesson: Ask questions and push past boundaries.

Forbes

At one stage, demonstrators tried to push past police barricades, sparking a brief clash with officers.

BBC

A small number of them tried to push past police lines.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "push past" when you want to convey the idea of overcoming resistance, either physical or metaphorical, to achieve a goal.

Common error

Avoid using "push past" when a more nuanced verb like "overcome" or "transcend" would better capture the intended meaning. "Push past" implies direct confrontation and overcoming, while other verbs may suggest a more subtle or transformative process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "push past" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating an action of moving beyond or overcoming an obstacle, whether physical or metaphorical. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "push past" is a versatile and frequently used phrasal verb that describes the act of overcoming obstacles or moving beyond limitations. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely applicable in English writing. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reports to academic papers. While there are synonyms like "break through" or "overcome", "push past" specifically emphasizes the act of forcing one's way through or beyond something. As Ludwig's examples showcase, this phrase effectively communicates the idea of active effort and determination in achieving a goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move beyond

Indicates progressing past a specific point or issue.

press on

Suggests continuing with effort and determination despite challenges.

break through

Emphasizes a forceful overcoming of a barrier or obstacle.

get over

Suggests recovering from or overcoming a setback or difficulty.

surmount

Suggests rising above a challenge or difficulty.

overcome

Focuses on successfully dealing with or conquering a problem.

forge ahead

Emphasizes a determined and forward-moving approach despite obstacles.

transcend

Implies going beyond the limits of something.

rise above

Implies a moral or ethical superiority in overcoming adversity.

leave behind

Focuses on abandoning or moving away from a past issue or limitation.

FAQs

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

You can use "push past" to describe overcoming physical or mental obstacles. For example, "She had to "push past" the protesters to enter the building" or "He needed to "push past" his doubts to succeed".

What's the difference between "push past" and "get over"?

"Push past" implies actively forcing your way through or beyond something, while "get over" suggests recovering or moving on from a difficulty or emotional setback. They are not interchangeable in all contexts.

What can I say instead of "push past" when talking about emotions?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives such as "overcome", "transcend", or "move beyond" to express dealing with emotions.

Is it always appropriate to use "push past" in a formal setting?

While generally acceptable, consider the specific tone and audience. In some formal contexts, a more refined or nuanced verb might be preferable to ""push past"". It is safer in neutral language.