pushing each other

USAGE SUMMARY

"pushing each other" is an idiomatic expression that can be used in written English.
For example, "The students were pushing each other to come up with the best project proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We haven't been pushing each other.

The New York Times

We're pushing each other further".

The New York Times - Sports

Guys seem like they're pushing each other.

The New York Times - Sports

We're pushing each other to be better".

The New York Times - Sports

You could see they were pushing each other.

The New York Times - Sports

We've both been flying, pushing each other to the max.

The Guardian - Sport

We were pushing each other to the limits.

The Guardian - Sport

We were pushing each other around a little bit.

The New York Times - Sports

"We just kept pushing each other," Nunez said.

The New York Times - Sports

But it's great to have two youngsters up there, supporting and pushing each other on.

The Guardian - Sport

We did some improvisation in terms of cleaving and pushing each other.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pushing each other", ensure the context clarifies whether the pushing is positive (motivational) or negative (stressful).

Common error

Avoid using "pushing each other" when describing purely supportive environments. If the intent is solely to highlight mutual support without any element of challenge or competition, consider using "supporting each other" instead. The phrase carries an implication of challenge or friendly rivalry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pushing each other" functions as a reciprocal action, indicating a mutual influence where individuals are actively motivating or challenging one another. It describes a dynamic relationship as confirmed by Ludwig's AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pushing each other" is a commonly used phrase that describes a reciprocal relationship where individuals motivate or challenge one another, primarily with the goal of self-improvement or achieving a shared objective. As verified by Ludwig, this phrase functions grammatically as a reciprocal action and carries a neutral tone, making it applicable in diverse contexts ranging from sports and news to business and personal relationships. While generally positive, it's important to be aware of the context to avoid unwanted implications of pressure or stress. Be mindful that alternative phrases like "motivating each other" or "encouraging each other" may be more appropriate to use in a context that is not about competition or pushing past limits. The Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples of its real-world usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivating each other

Focuses on the encouragement aspect rather than the competitive or challenging aspect.

challenging each other

Highlights the competitive aspect and the setting of difficult tasks or goals.

encouraging each other

Emphasizes support and positive reinforcement, minimizing any sense of pressure.

inspiring each other

Suggests a more profound level of influence, leading to creative or aspirational pursuits.

driving each other

Implies a forceful and perhaps relentless effort to achieve goals.

pressuring each other

Conveys a negative connotation, suggesting unwanted or excessive demands.

competing with each other

Focuses solely on the rivalry aspect, often with a focus on winning.

supporting each other

Highlights the collaborative aspect, offering assistance and resources.

influencing each other

A broad term suggesting a general impact, without specifying the nature of the effect.

stimulating each other

Suggests intellectual or creative invigoration and arousing enthusiasm or interest.

FAQs

What does "pushing each other" mean?

The phrase "pushing each other" generally means motivating and challenging each other to improve, often through competition or high expectations.

How can I use "pushing each other" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe teammates who motivate each other or competitors who drive each other to perform better. For example: "The athletes were "pushing each other" to break their personal records."

What are some alternatives to "pushing each other"?

Alternatives include "motivating each other", "challenging each other", or "encouraging each other" depending on the specific context.

Is "pushing each other" always positive?

While often used in a positive context to describe healthy competition and motivation, "pushing each other" can also imply pressure or stress. The specific context determines whether the pushing is beneficial or detrimental.