press on

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on

Meanings

1

Continue determinedly despite difficulty

Continuationuncommon

Why “on”? Sliding forward along the surface. Motion that keeps going on and on.

They pressed on through the snow.
They continued determinedly through the snow despite the difficulty.
The walkers pressed on through heavy rain.
The walkers kept going through heavy rain.

Don't confuse with

press onpress down

Press on means continue determinedly despite difficulty. Press down means push firmly downward on something.

press onpress ahead

Press on means continue determinedly despite difficulty. Press ahead means continue with something despite difficulties.

Test yourself

They pressed on through the snow. What does it mean?

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