push the ball forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "push the ball forward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when trying to motivate someone to take action or make progress. For example, "Let's push the ball forward and finish the project by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Beasley tries to push the ball forward now but he's brought down.

The Guardian - Sport

You're right, there hasn't been much effort to push the ball forward, and in some cases there's even been backsliding.

The Washington Post

"Lenny books will aspire to push the ball forward on the issues that matter to our audience, with wit and style.

The Guardian - Books

We could use the SOTU opportunity to push the ball forward on whatever proposal we put forward, calling on Congress to act by a 'date certain' or further fleshing out our proposals.

The New Yorker

"Whether we're receiving praise or receiving criticism, we're together as a team trying to push the ball forward and continuing to tell stories about these characters we've come to love so much," she said.

Independent

Dunham, a feminist and vocal proponent of gender equality in the media, recently set up her production company A Casual Romance "to push the ball forward on gender and sexuality in interesting ways".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

This is commonly done by pushing the triangle slightly forward and pulling it back while using your fingers to push the balls forward against the apex of the triangle.

WikiHow

They will be pushing the ball forward, away from him.

The New York Times - Sports

He pushed the ball forward and blasted an unstoppable shot into the lower-left corner of the goal.

The New York Times - Sports

Once done, freedom should be given to explore the rest of the day knowing that you have pushed the ball forward.

Harvard Business Review

In the 61st minute, Ronald Gomez bulled his way through a crowd of defenders and pushed the ball forward, getting it back from Paulo Wanchope, the lithe forward who plays for Manchester City in England.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "push the ball forward" to encourage action and progress in projects or discussions. It is especially effective when motivating teams or individuals to overcome obstacles.

Common error

While "push the ball forward" is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal documents like academic papers or legal briefs. Opt for more precise or formal alternatives like "advance the objective" or "facilitate progress" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "push the ball forward" functions as a metaphorical expression, encouraging progress or advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from news and media sources, illustrating its broad applicability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "push the ball forward" is a common and correct phrase used to encourage advancement and action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across contexts like news, media, and general discussions. While versatile, it is best to consider the formality of the setting, opting for more precise language in academic or highly formal contexts. Overall, the phrase serves as a motivational call to action, prompting individuals to work together toward achieving their goals. With its widespread applicability and clear meaning, "push the ball forward" remains a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance the cause

Focuses on promoting a specific cause or belief.

make headway

Emphasizes progress, especially when facing difficulties.

drive progress

Highlights the act of actively stimulating advancement.

move things along

Suggests facilitating or accelerating the pace of events.

propel forward

Implies a forceful impetus, ensuring continued progress.

further development

Focuses more on developing something to a more advanced stage.

facilitate advancement

Highlights the act of easing and accelerating advancement.

spur onward

Suggests encouraging and supporting continued momentum.

boost momentum

Emphasizes the action of increasing the rate of progress.

foster progress

Focuses on nurturing and promoting positive evolution.

FAQs

What does it mean to "push the ball forward"?

To "push the ball forward" means to make progress on a task or project, or to advance a cause or discussion. It implies taking action to move things toward a desired outcome.

How can I use "push the ball forward" in a sentence?

You can use "push the ball forward" in sentences like: "Let's "push the ball forward" on this initiative by scheduling a meeting next week" or "We need to "push the ball forward" to meet our quarterly goals".

What can I say instead of "push the ball forward"?

You can use alternatives like "advance the cause", "make headway", or "drive progress" depending on the specific context.

Is "push the ball forward" appropriate for formal writing?

While "push the ball forward" is widely understood, it might be perceived as informal in some contexts. For formal writing, consider using phrases like "facilitate advancement" or "further development" for a more sophisticated tone.