push back
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle back
Meanings
Strongly resist or oppose an idea
Why “back”? Back creates distance or reduces progress. The change can affect a place, position, amount, promise, or plan.
“Staff pushed back on the changes.”
“Parents pushed back against the new rule.”
Common mistake
Let's push back the deadline to make it sooner.
Let's push back the deadline to next week.
Push back a date means move it to a later time, not an earlier one.
Natural collocations
The word partners “push back” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Push back means strongly resist or oppose an idea. Push over means push something so it falls on its side.
Test yourself
“Staff pushed back on the changes.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
push over
A contrast learners often mix up
Push something so it falls on its side
cut back
Same back pattern: distance
Reduce sharply, especially expenditure; Reduce the amount of something, especially spending
die back
Same back pattern: distance
(of a plant) lose leaves and branches above ground while the roots survive
draw back
Same back pattern: distance
Move yourself away in hesitation
drive back
Same back pattern: distance
Force an attacker to retreat
drop back
Same back pattern: distance
Move to a position further behind
edge back
Same back pattern: distance
Move backward in small cautious steps
fall back
Same back pattern: distance
Move backwards quickly, often in retreat; Use something as a backup when other options fail; Move into a position behind others
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice “push back” in Sink In
Drill “push back” and 1,300+ other phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by the particle patterns that connect them.
- Learn the pattern behind dozens of verbs at once — not one-off translations.
- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
