pushing away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pushing away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of physically or emotionally creating distance from someone or something. Example: "She felt overwhelmed by the situation and began pushing away her friends who were trying to help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Look at his hand — he's pushing away the sun".

The New Yorker

His was the first save, pushing away Nolito's shot.

The Guardian - Sport

The surf was already pushing away the dunes.

The New Yorker

It left her pushing away everyone and closing herself off.

The Guardian

"22 years in I am still pushing away", he said.

The Guardian

But the inner cost of pushing away my grief and sadness showed up in other ways.

University of California, Berkeley

Emotion suppression means just that: pushing away rather than dealing with difficult thoughts and emotions.

University of California, Berkeley

If we're practicing a guarded heart life, we're pushing away the things we're most desperate for.

University of California, Berkeley

Besides pushing away uncomfortable feelings, many of us have been conditioned to judge our emotions in negative ways.

University of California, Berkeley

Employing the forces of globalisation, these elites are said to enhance their dominance through the development of walled and well-connected enclaves, while pushing away underprivileged groups.

Geoforum

FINALLY, like the screenwriter in "Contempt," Edgar has a talent for pushing away women.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pushing away" to describe both physical and emotional distancing. For instance, "He was pushing away from the table" (physical) versus "She was pushing away her friends" (emotional).

Common error

Be mindful that "pushing away" can imply rejection or defensiveness. If you intend to convey simple movement or separation without negative connotations, consider alternative phrasing like "moving aside" or "stepping back".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pushing away" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a noun or part of a verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. It is used to describe the act of creating distance, whether physical or emotional.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pushing away" is a versatile gerund phrase used to describe the act of creating distance, whether physically or emotionally. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to be mindful of its potential connotations of rejection or defensiveness. Consider alternatives like "distancing oneself" or "shoving aside" if a more neutral tone is desired. With over 60 examples, it is classified as a very common phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distancing oneself

Emphasizes the act of creating emotional or social distance.

rejecting

Focuses on the act of refusing to accept or acknowledge something.

turning away

Highlights the act of ignoring or refusing to acknowledge something.

shoving aside

Implies a more forceful and physical act of moving something out of the way.

dismissing

Indicates treating something as unworthy of consideration.

warding off

Suggests preventing something harmful from approaching.

repelling

Suggests causing someone or something to move away due to distaste or disgust.

fending off

Implies defending against an attack or unwanted advance.

shunning

Implies deliberately avoiding someone or something.

deflecting

Conveys redirecting something, like criticism or attention.

FAQs

How can I use "pushing away" in a sentence?

You can use "pushing away" to describe the act of creating physical or emotional distance, such as "He was pushing away the snow" or "She was pushing away her feelings".

What are some alternatives to "pushing away"?

Alternatives to "pushing away" include "distancing oneself", "rejecting", or "shoving aside", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say someone is "pushing away" their responsibilities?

Yes, it is correct. Saying someone is "pushing away" their responsibilities suggests they are avoiding or neglecting them. You could also say they are "shirking" their responsibilities.

What's the difference between "pushing away" and "pulling away"?

"Pushing away" implies creating distance by moving something or someone away from oneself, while "pulling away" suggests creating distance by moving oneself away from something or someone. They describe opposite directions of movement.