shove away

USAGE SUMMARY

"shove away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use "shove away" when you want to indicate that something (such as a physical object) is being pushed away forcefully. For example: I had to shove away the ladder to get to the upper shelf.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

God makes holy what people shove away, and I'm here just to celebrate that".

The New York Times

When Sam Cowart again met Ricky Williams Sunday night, as Williams took a pitch from Ray Lucas, it was as if Cowart were trying to shove away the early-season defensive failures with as much ease as he was pushing Williams backward and off the field for a 6-yard loss.

The New York Times - Sports

Baroo is tiny: big enough for one communal table, a few chairs against one wall, and three seats at the counter if you shove away Uh's stacks of cookbooks.

Los Angeles Times

The more you try and shove away those fantasies, the more stuck they're going to get in your mind.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

About 10 police officers appeared, shoved away organizers who tried to intervene, the statement said, and "Tsundue was dragged to his feet and forced out the back door".

The New York Times

The sensation that Trump has shoved away his plate of scallops and demanded that someone bring him a big bowl of Sugar Puffs and a mixing spoon.

The Guardian - Opinion

The capacity crowd at Prudential Center roared, Kopecky was shoved away from Brodeur by the other Devils, and Brodeur went on to shut out the Panthers, 4-0 — two days after he was benched in the briefest playoff appearance of his career.

The New York Times - Sports

He shoved away his desire to schmooze with Santa, but days later, Santa drew his focus again when we drove by glittering lights on trees in our town's main green.

The New York Times

The Al-Aqsa Intifada started in September, 2000, when Ariel Sharon, bare-headed, surrounded by hundreds of police officers, shoving away bystanders, came to the Temple Mount to stake a claim to the "holiest place in Jerusalem".

The New Yorker

In his new piece, "Tactics," the dancers react so strongly to unseen forces — shoving away, taking in, pursuing, evading — that the forces become almost visible; it's high-energy dancing pushed into the realm of mime.

The New Yorker

The menace had been all German, the South Americans' anxiety prompting a huddle just inside the mouth of the tunnel as they sought urgency with the intrusive television cameras shoved away by Martín Demichelis.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shove away" to describe a forceful physical action of pushing something or someone out of the way. For emotional or abstract concepts, consider alternatives like "reject" or "dismiss".

Common error

Avoid using "shove away" when describing the rejection of ideas or emotions. While metaphorically applicable, it can sound awkward. Opt for more precise verbs like "reject", "dismiss", or "suppress" for abstract concepts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shove away" is as a phrasal verb, indicating a physical action of pushing something or someone away forcefully. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples show it used to describe both physical and emotional actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shove away" is a phrasal verb primarily used to describe a forceful pushing action or the act of rejecting something unwanted. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While grammatically sound, it's more common in neutral to informal contexts, such as news and media, rather than formal or academic writing. When using "shove away", consider its implications of forcefulness and choose alternatives like "push aside" or "reject" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Avoid overusing it in non-physical contexts where more precise verbs may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

push aside

Indicates a similar action of moving something or someone out of the way, but may imply less force.

ward off

Implies preventing something from affecting you, often used in the context of danger or harm.

fend off

Similar to "ward off", suggesting a defensive action against an attack or unwanted advance.

brush aside

Suggests dismissing something quickly and without much consideration.

turn away

Implies a refusal to accept or acknowledge something or someone.

reject

Indicates a firm refusal to accept, approve, or consider something.

repel

Suggests driving something back or away, often with force or aversion.

deflect

Implies turning something aside, often an attack or criticism.

rebuff

Indicates a blunt or abrupt rejection of an offer or advance.

dismiss

Suggests treating something as unworthy of serious consideration.

FAQs

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

You can use "shove away" to describe a physical action, such as "He had to shove away the debris to clear the path". It can also describe an emotional reaction, such as, "She tried to shove away the feelings of sadness".

What's the difference between "shove away" and "push aside"?

"Shove away" generally implies a more forceful and abrupt action than "push aside", which can be gentler or more casual.

What can I say instead of "shove away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "push aside", "reject", "dismiss" or "fend off".

Is "shove away" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "shove away" might be considered informal for academic or business writing. Consider more formal alternatives like "repel" or "rebuff" in such contexts.