Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

push it

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.82 in modern English

Syllables: push it
IPA

11

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

1

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To make an extraordinary or risky effort; to behave in a way which tests the limits; to take chances; to expect too much.

verb

To have sexual intercourse.

Dated; Slang

Example Sentences

"You're really pushing it if you expect them to keep putting up with your B.S."
"We were really pushing it when we kept on driving even though the fuel gauge was near empty."
""No hurry, give me time"—"don't push it"—"wait"—"do nothing"—"the status quo"—all these various phrases expressed Lord Southend's earnest and re-iterated advice.""
"This season, Johnson's back spasms returned after five games and he underwent surgery again. . . . "If it comes around well, I might be able to play. I'm not going to push it.""
"[V]arious physicians in the U.S. have been quoted as saying that coming back this quickly from his particular injury is pushing it."
""Sometimes she lets me touch her, just the breasts you see, and that's fine, I don't push it.""

Etymology

The slang sense referring to sexual intercourse was inspired by "Push It", a Salt-n-Pepa song of the 1980s. The song is ostensibly only about dancing but clearly also implies sex.

Usage

Dated
Slang

Inflected Forms

pushes it (present, singular) pushing it (participle, present) pushed it (participle, past) pushed it (past)

Phrases

push one's luck push the envelope

Frequently Paired Words

push one's luck push the envelope

Questions

What does push it mean?: To make an extraordinary or risky effort; to behave in a way which tests the limits; to take chances; to expect too much.
Where does push it come from?: The slang sense referring to sexual intercourse was inspired by "Push It", a Salt-n-Pepa song of the 1980s. The song is ostensibly only about dancing but clearly also implies sex.

How to pronounce push it

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