pushing
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push back the clock
To revisit, recount, return to or recreate a time or era from the past. The purpose of this conference is to push back the clock by analyzing early human remains and try to gain insight into their way of life. The governor is bent on pushing back the clock and returning us to the ethics of the 1950s.
push (one's) weight around
To assert oneself in a controlling, domineering, or authoritarian manner; to exercise one's position of authority, power, or influence, especially to an overbearing or excessive degree. An effective leader should inspire enough confidence in their team that they don't have to push their weight around to get things done. I'm sick of Donald coming into these meetings and pushing his weight around. Can't he just leave us to our own devices?
be pushing up (the) daisies
slang To be dead. This phrase alludes to one having been buried underground. I'll be pushing up the daisies long before taxes in our city go down. You'll be pushing up daisies when mom finds out that you dented her brand-new car.
push (one's) buttons
1. To do things that create a very strong emotional reaction in one, especially anger, irritation, or exasperation. I hate Dave's new boyfriend, he's always trying to push my buttons, and he's doing a good job of it! No one will be able to push your buttons like your children, but it's all a part of the adventure of parenthood.
2. To be sexually attractive or arousing to someone. A guy who knows how to cook really pushes my buttons.
push (one's) luck
To risk losing the good favor or fortune one has garnered thus far by brashly or overconfidently seeking more. I know you're in the boss's good graces now, but don't push your luck. She's been known to turn on people for getting too cocky. I've had some good winnings at blackjack, but I don't think I should push my luck any further.
push at an open door
To easily achieve victory or a desired outcome because it is supported by a majority of people. The area was so entrenched by separatists that the incoming soldiers ended up pushing on an open door. Many assumed that the candidate's seemingly outlandish views would be quickly and decisively dismissed by the population, but it turns out that, in many parts of the country, he was pushing at an open door.
push the panic button
To overreact to a negative situation with an inordinate amount of fear, alarm, or confusion. If you're going to be a successful boss, you can't push the panic button every time your company has a minor setback. New parents tend to push the panic button over every little sniffle their first baby gets. You learn to chill out when you have more kids.
push off
1. Literally, to push against a dock in order to move one's boat away from shore. I'll need you to push off while I steer the boat.
2. By extension, to leave or depart. We both need to be up early tomorrow, so we'll be pushing off soon.
pushing on in years
Old or getting old. Primarily heard in UK, Australia, Ireland. I may be pushing on in years, but that doesn't mean I don't still crave adventure! With the director pushing on in years, many are speculating that the theatre may be looking for a successor.
push off
and shove offto 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.
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.
push someone or something off (of) someone or something
and push someone or something offto 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.
pushing up (the) daisies
Fig. dead and buried. (Usually in the future tense.) I'll be pushing up daisies before this problem is solved. If you talk to me like that again, you'll be pushing up the daisies.
push off
Also, shove off. Leave, set out, depart, as in The patrol pushed off before dawn, or It's time to shove off. This usage alludes to the literal meaning of a person in a boat pushing against the bank or dock to move away from the shore. [Colloquial; early 1900s]
push the panic button
Also, press the panic button. Overreact to a situation, as in Don't worry; Jane is always pushing the panic button, but I'm sure the baby's fine. This term originated during World War II, when certain bombers had a bell-warning system so that the crew could bail out if the plane was severely hit. Occasionally a pilot would push the button in error, when there was only minor damage, causing the crew to bail out unnecessarily. By 1950 the expression had been transferred to other kinds of overreaction.
be pushing up the daisies
If someone is pushing up the daisies, they are dead. Instead of pushing up the daisies, he is still among the living, grey whiskers and all. Note: This expression is used humorously.
be pushing at an open door
orbe pushing against an open door
BRITISHIf someone is pushing at an open door or is pushing against an open door, they are finding it very easy to achieve their aims. Investors in slave ships had better places to put their money. Reformers, in effect, were pushing at an open door. Congress will give him what he wants. It's like pushing against an open door.
pushing up the daisies
dead and buried. informalThis phrase, a humorous early 20th-century euphemism, is now the most frequently used of several daisy-related expressions for being in the grave. Other idioms include under the daisies and turn your toes up to the daisies , both dating from the mid 19th century.
push at (or against) an open door
have no difficulty in accomplishing a task; fail to realize how easy something is.be ˌpushing ˈ40, ˈ50, etc.
(informal) be nearly 40, 50, etc. years old: My grandmother’s pushing eighty but she’s as fit as ever.See also: pushing
be ˌpushing up (the) ˈdaisies
(old-fashioned, humorous) be dead and in a grave: I’ll be pushing up daisies by the time that happens.A daisy is a small white flower that often grows in grass.
push off
v.
1. To shove or thrust something or someone from a place: She climbed up to the roof and pushed off the snow. He pushed a glass off the table, and it shattered.
2. To set out; depart: The infantry patrol pushed off before dawn.
3. To launch or move away by pushing against a surface: I can jump higher when I push off the ground with my left foot. We got in the boat and pushed off from the dock.
push the panic button
verbpushing up daisies
mod. dead and buried. (Folksy. Usually in the future tense.) I’ll be pushing up daisies before this problem is solved.