push out

push out

1. To extend or protrude outward. I could see a bit of bone pushing out where he broke his ankle. There are a bunch of loose wire pushing out through the back of the unit.

2. To shove, thrust, or press someone or something forcibly outward or out of something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "push" and "out." You'll need to push out the component before you can work on it. I tried to get in the room, but security pushed me back out again.

3. To force someone out of some position or group. A noun or pronoun can be used between "push" and "out." The board of directors secretly began pushing out the CFO due to his political beliefs. I helped set up the organization, but they pushed me out when I started questioning their agenda.

4. To exclude someone emotionally; to isolate oneself from someone else. A noun or pronoun is used between "push" and "out." I knew he needed help, but he kept pushing me out. Tom really loves you, Sarah—don't push him out like that.

See also: out, push

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

push out

to spread out; to expand outward. The sides of the box pushed out, and I was afraid it would break. His little tummy pushed out when he was full.

See also: out, push

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.