apply (redirected from applying)

apply (to someone or something) (for something)

to ask for something from someone or an organization. You must apply to the proper office for permission. I applied to seven colleges for admission.

apply something to something 

1. Lit. to put something onto the surface of something. Apply the decal to the surface of the glass. Apply the paint evenly to each surface.

2. Fig. to use something, such as force, effort, etc., on something or in the performance of some task. Apply more effort in your school work. An even greater effort has been applied to make sure we finish on time.

apply oneself to something

to work hard and diligently at something. You should apply yourself to your studies. She applied herself to her work and the time passed very rapidly.

See also: oneself

apply to someone or something

[for rules, laws, etc.] to affect someone or something; to be relevant to someone or something. Does this rule apply to me? These policies apply only to very large companies.

apply within

to ask about something [inside some place]. (Usually part of a sign or announcement posted outside a place.) The sign outside the office read, "Apply within." If you are interested in working here, please apply within.

See also: within

push (oneself) off (on something)

[for someone in a boat] to apply pressure to something on the shore, thus propelling the boat and oneself away. The weekend sailor pushed himself off on the boat he had been moored to. We pushed off on the dock.

See also: push

push someone or something off (of) someone or something and push someone or something off

to apply pressure to and force someone or something off someone or something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) He continued to come at me, but I managed to push him off me and escape. I pushed off the attacker.

See also: push

push off and shove off

to leave. (As if one were pushing a boat away from a dock.) Well, it looks like it's time to push off. It's time to go. Let's shove off.

See also: push

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push off

to leave The settlers who pushed off for the far west opened the land for farming.

See also: push