push around
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle around
Meanings
Treat someone roughly or unfairly
Why “around”? Pressure comes from all sides. A person is pushed around instead of choosing freely.
“Don't let them push you around.”
“The older boys pushed him around at school.”
Don't confuse with
Push around means treat someone roughly or unfairly. Push away means reject someone emotionally.
Test yourself
“Don't let them push you around.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
push away
A contrast learners often mix up
Reject someone emotionally
boss around
Same around pattern: control
Tell someone what to do in an annoying way
mess around
Same around pattern: control
Spend time in a careless or playful way; Treat someone unfairly or unreliably
order around
Same around pattern: control
Continually tell someone what to do
push ahead
Same base verb: push
Continue with a plan despite difficulties
push aside
Same base verb: push
Refuse to consider feelings or thoughts
push back
Same base verb: push
Strongly resist or oppose an idea
push down
Same base verb: push
Press something downward with force
Practice “push around” in Sink In
Drill this and 600+ phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by particle.