push back — to delay or postpone something to a later time
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to delay or postpone something to a later time
Pronunciation (IPA): /pʊʃ bæk/
Example Sentences
- My boss pushed back my vacation because our office goldfish had an important meeting.
- The launch date was pushed back due to technical issues.
- She pushed back when her cat suggested she work overtime on weekends.
push back
VERB[/pʊʃ bæk/]
to delay or postpone something to a later time
While one team member tried to rush the unfinished report, the project leader decided to push back the deadline by two weeks on the calendar.
PUSH (apply force) + BACK (in return) — by using heavy wooden shields to PUSH BACK against the bullies, the villagers began to push back.
Refusing to stay on an unfair business track and facing a sudden legal attack, the workers united to firmly push back.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Pushback is a phrasal verb combining push (from Old English 'pūscan', meaning to thrust or shove) and back (from Old English 'bæc', meaning rear or backward direction). The compound emerged in English to describe the physical action of thrusting something backward, later extending metaphorically to denote resistance, delay, or temporal postponement.
Breakdown
push (to thrust or shove) + back (backward direction or rear). The phrase initially described literal backward propulsion, then evolved to encompass figurative meanings of opposition, delay, or rescheduling.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My boss pushed back my vacation because our office goldfish had an important meeting.”
“The launch date was pushed back due to technical issues.”
“She pushed back when her cat suggested she work overtime on weekends.”
“The government faced pushback from environmental groups.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.