shove down

USAGE SUMMARY

"shove down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to convey the indicating of pushing something down forcibly and with effort. For example: She shoved the book down the back of her shelf.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"I'm just glad that the jurors saw it the way it was and not some fantasy that somebody was trying to shove down their throats," Ms. Moreno said.

The New York Times

"Women want credit for what they don't say during a relationship, while men need credit for what they have to swallow and shove down inside themselves," said Ms. Shapiro, a Tony Award winner for directing "August: Osage County" on Broadway.

The New York Times

"There isn't a neo-socialist cause she won't shove down our throats," Mrs. Kelly said in a letter earlier this month on behalf of Conservatives for Effective Leadership, a group raising funds for Mr. Giuliani.

The New York Times

Small credit-card purchases are uneconomic to process, and a quarter is hard to shove down a modem.Pennies for your thoughtsSuch digital micropayments promised to democratise commerce: anybody with an idea, a piece of news, anything at all that someone, somewhere, might want to see, could become a publisher online.

The Economist

That's likely what is threatening the Manifesto crowd, the difficulty of locking Microsoft out of an open relationship with users when they themselves demonstrate a disregard for the rules they are in the process of attempting to forge and then shove down Martin's throat.

TechCrunch

It needs to compete with cable if it truly wants to build a TV replacement.... does anyone really doubt that eventually the Internet will triumph here to smash the rigid program guide that cable and satellite companies shove down our throats?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

He is being shoved down my throat.

The New York Times - Sports

Nothing's shoved down your throats".

The New York Times

"This corporate model is being shoved down our throat".

The New York Times

And copy-newness, all being shoved down our throats".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Eat" features the Statue of Liberty being shoved down a (yellow) man's throat.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shove down", be mindful of the context and audience, as it can be perceived as aggressive or disrespectful. Consider alternatives like "present forcefully" or "strongly advocate" for a more neutral tone.

Common error

Avoid using "shove down" in formal writing or professional settings. The phrase is often too informal and can undermine your credibility. Opt for more sophisticated and less abrasive language.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shove down" is that of a phrasal verb. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates pushing something down forcibly, often implying imposition or unwanted acceptance. It’s used to describe the action of forcing something, either physically or metaphorically, onto someone or something else.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

13%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shove down" is a phrasal verb indicating a forceful imposition, often against one's will. According to Ludwig AI, it correctly conveys pushing something down forcibly and with effort. Its usage is common, particularly in News & Media, but it's generally considered informal and should be used cautiously in formal contexts. The expert rating confirms its grammatical correctness and consistent usage across authoritative sources. Related phrases, like "forcefully impose" or "coerce into accepting", offer more neutral alternatives, while "ram down someone's throat" carries a more aggressive connotation. When writing, it's best to be mindful of the audience and choose less abrasive language in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ram down someone's throat

An idiomatic expression with a similar meaning, but more aggressive and forceful.

cram down

Similar to shove, but implies filling something to capacity, often against resistance.

forcefully impose

Replaces "shove" with "forcefully impose", highlighting the act of compelling someone to accept something.

thrust upon

Emphasizes a sudden or forceful imposition.

impose by force

Highlights the use of force to make something accepted or followed.

coerce into accepting

Emphasizes the act of persuading or forcing someone to agree with something unwillingly.

inflict upon

Implies causing someone to experience something unpleasant or unwanted.

pressurize to believe

Focuses on the act of applying pressure to make someone believe something.

foist upon

Suggests palming off something undesirable or inferior on someone.

obtrude upon

Suggests an unwelcome or inappropriate imposition.

FAQs

What does "shove down" mean?

"Shove down" typically means to force something upon someone, either physically or metaphorically, often against their will.

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

You might say, "The company tried to shove the new policy down our throats," meaning they were trying to force employees to accept it.

What are some alternatives to "shove down"?

Depending on the context, you could use "forcefully impose", "coerce into accepting", or "ram down someone's throat" (though this last one is quite aggressive).

When is it appropriate to use "shove down"?

It's best used in informal contexts or when you want to emphasize the forceful or unwanted nature of something being imposed. Avoid it in formal or professional communication.