when push comes to shove

Also found in: Acronyms.

if push comes to shove

If the situation deteriorates or becomes desperate; if drastic measures are needed. If push comes to shove, I have some extra savings I could tap into. We'll at least have some leverage in the negotiations if push comes to shove.

when push comes to shove

When the situation deteriorates or becomes desperate; when drastic measures are needed. When push comes to shove, I have some extra savings I could tap into. We'll at least have some leverage in the negotiations when push comes to shove.

See also: come, push, shove

when push comes to shove

and if push comes to shove

Fig. when things get a little pressed; when the situation gets more active or intense. When push comes to shove, you know I'll be on your side. If push comes to shove at the meeting, the front office can back you up with some statistics.

See also: come, push, shove

when push comes to shove

if push comes to shove

COMMON If you talk about what someone will do when push comes to shove or if push comes to shove, you are talking about what they will do when it becomes necessary to do something difficult. They knew they could sit back, and when push came to shove I'd do all the work. They wouldn't support you, sir. If push came to shove, they wouldn't be behind you. Compare with when it comes to the crunch.

See also: come, push, shove

when (or if) push comes to shove

when action must be taken; if the worst comes to the worst. informal

2001 Financial Director When push comes to shove, investors are not always impressed with promises of jam tomorrow.

See also: come, push, shove

if/when ˌpush comes to ˈshove

(informal) if/when there is no other choice; if/when everything else has failed: I don’t want to sell the house, but if push comes to shove, I might have to.

Shove means to push somebody in a rough way.

if push comes to shove

verb

See when push comes to shove

when push comes to shove

and if push comes to shove

phr. when things get a little pressed; when the situation gets more active or intense. If push comes to shove, the front office can help with some statistics.

See also: come, push, shove

References in periodicals archive ?

When push comes to shove, Japan can become a nuclear power overnight.

Response to China: 'Usjaphil'

When push comes to shove, and they need to fill a position in a hurry, they'll go with somebody they already know or whose credentials have been vouchsafed by someone else they know and trust.

Heard It Through the Grapevine: An HRnext.com Poll Shows That Word of Mouth Beats Newspaper Ads and Internet Job Sites as HR Professionals' Favorite Source of Recruits

There are times when people are willing to help others, but when push comes to shove, self- interest rules the day.

EXTRATERRESTRIAL TERROR SPIELBERG, CRUISE DELIVER A THRILLING 'WAR' BUT REMAKE EVENTUALLY RUNS OUT OF AMMO

There's nothing truly threatening in the findings -- people still like magazines -- but magazines must realize that when push comes to shove, they are the ones standing closest to the edge," she added.

Mixed News for Magazine Publishers: Consumers Say Magazines Are Most Dispensable Media Compared to Newspapers, TV and Books; Yet 70% of U.S. Households Subscribe to At Least One Title According to Cowles Folio: 1996 National Issues Survey

When push comes to shove, Ben asks Lindsey, ``Is there anything in your life that you've loved for 23 years?

'PITCH' PLAYS IT SAFE, SMART

He's only 5-foot-5 and 140 pounds, but when push comes to shove, he handles himself well.

MAN IS VICTIM TWICE FLEEING ATTACK, HE'S SHOT IN ARM

I think he is going to be the deciding vote when push comes to shove,'' said Bob Scott, a San Fernando Valley community leader who is active in education and other political issues.

UTLA, RIORDAN GROUP FACE OFF IN RACE

You can prep all you want, but when push comes to shove, you react.

THE HYPE MAKING TE BEAST OF A BAD SITUATION

When push comes to shove, Bernson's friends know he'll use his influence to their advantage.

EDITORIAL JUST FRIENDS BERNSON TAKES CARE OF HIS OWN

But ultimately, when push comes to shove, you want that homecourt.

[0] ANOTHER GOAL IS REALIZED IT'S HOMECOURT ADVANTAGE FOR L.A. LAKERS 111, GOLDEN STATE 104

There's been all this talk about all this greatness, me included, and when push comes to shove, we lose a game we should have won.

CSUN NOTEBOOK: CSUN'S GOAL: POCATELLO PAYBACK

Isn't it just conceivable they'll go through the motions for the entertainment of nostalgia buffs but when push comes to shove comes to clinch, will they protect each other from serious harm?

FIGHT OF THE AGED; BAD IDEA GETTING OLDER BY THE MINUTE

Unfortunately, when push comes to shove, the votes of the lobbied and self-interested majority turned away from what the people want and need.

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE . . .; FOR CHARTER REFORM IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL, A DISHEARTENING OUTCOME FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN IT