Explanation at your level:
To shove means to push. You use your hands to push someone or something hard. If you are in a hurry, you might shove your clothes into a bag.
When you are angry or in a rush, you might shove someone. It is a forceful push. You can also shove things into a drawer when you are cleaning quickly.
Shove implies more force than 'push.' It is often used when someone is being impatient or aggressive. It is common to hear 'shove aside' or 'shove into' in casual conversation.
The verb shove carries a nuance of carelessness or lack of consideration. While 'push' is neutral, 'shove' suggests a lack of manners or an urgent, frantic state of mind.
In advanced contexts, shove can be used figuratively to describe the imposition of ideas or the sudden displacement of objects. It highlights the lack of grace in the movement or the action.
Etymologically, shove retains its Germanic vigor, contrasting with Latinate synonyms like 'propel' or 'displace.' Its usage in literature often signifies raw, unrefined human behavior or the chaotic nature of a scene.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Shove means a rough push.
- It is often used for objects.
- It is an informal word.
- It is a regular verb.
When you shove something, you aren't just nudging it; you are applying a significant amount of force. Think of someone in a crowded subway trying to get off the train—they might shove their way through the throng of people. It is a very physical, active word.
Beyond physical contact, we use it for objects too. If you are running late, you might shove your books into your backpack without organizing them. This captures the essence of the word: it is about speed, force, and a lack of gentleness.
The word shove comes from the Old English word scūfan, which meant to push or cast away. It is a Germanic root, sharing a family tree with the Dutch schuiven and the German schieben.
Historically, it has always carried that sense of forceful movement. Over centuries, it evolved from simple physical pushing to include the metaphorical sense of shoving things into places or even 'shoving off' when someone leaves a location.
You use shove when the action is rough or hurried. If you push a button, you don't 'shove' it; you press it. But if you push someone out of your way, you definitely shove them.
Common pairings include 'shove aside,' 'shove into,' and 'shove off.' It is generally considered informal or neutral, but never polite in a social setting when directed at a person.
1. Shove off: To leave or go away. 'It's late, I think it's time to shove off.'
2. If push comes to shove: If the situation becomes desperate. 'If push comes to shove, I can borrow money.'
3. Shove it: A rude way to tell someone to go away. 'He told me to shove it.'
4. Shove down someone's throat: To force an opinion on someone. 'Stop shoving your politics down my throat.'
5. Give someone the shove: To fire or dismiss someone. 'He got the shove after the project failed.'
Shove is a regular verb: shove, shoved, shoved. It is almost always used as a transitive verb, meaning it needs an object.
Pronunciation: /ʃʌv/. It rhymes with love, dove, above, glove, and of (in some dialects). The 'sh' sound is a soft, hissing sound made by pushing air through pursed lips.
Fun Fact
It is related to the word 'shove' as in 'shove off' for boats.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'u' sound like 'cup'.
Similar to UK, very clear 'sh' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'shoe'
- Missing the 'sh' sound
- Making the 'u' sound too long
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Regular Verbs
shove -> shoved
Transitive Verbs
I shoved it.
Phrasal Verbs
shove off
Examples by Level
Don't shove me!
Do not push me
Imperative
He shoved the door open.
She shoved her books into her bag.
The crowd began to shove.
Don't shove in line.
He shoved past me.
I shoved the papers aside.
She shoved the chair back.
He shoved his hands in his pockets.
If push comes to shove, we will walk.
He shoved his way to the front.
Don't shove your opinion on me.
The kids were shoving each other.
He shoved the note into my hand.
She shoved the window shut.
Stop shoving people around!
He shoved off early.
He was shoved into the back of the car.
She shoved the heavy box across the floor.
The protesters were shoved by the police.
He felt a sudden shove from behind.
Don't shove it all into one box.
They shoved their way through the crowd.
He shoved the money into his pocket.
She was shoved aside by the celebrity.
He shoved his responsibilities onto his assistant.
The truth was shoved in his face.
She shoved her way into the inner circle.
They were shoved into a life of poverty.
He shoved the evidence under the rug.
The project was shoved through by the manager.
She shoved her pride aside.
He shoved his way to the top.
The political agenda was shoved down the public's throat.
He was shoved out of the company by his rivals.
She shoved the past behind her.
The proposal was shoved through without debate.
He shoved his ego aside for the team.
They were shoved into the spotlight unexpectedly.
He shoved the reality of the situation away.
She shoved her fears into a small corner of her mind.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"if push comes to shove"
if the situation becomes critical
If push comes to shove, I'll sell the car.
casual"shove off"
to leave
We should shove off now.
casual"shove it"
a rude rejection
He told me to shove it.
rude"shove down someone's throat"
force an opinion
Stop shoving your ideas down my throat.
neutral"get the shove"
to be fired
He got the shove yesterday.
informal"shove around"
to bully someone
Nobody likes being shoved around.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean move
Shove is rougher
Push the button vs. Shove the box.
Both mean force
Thrust is more formal
He thrust the sword.
Phrasal verb
Means leave
Time to shove off.
Both are pushes
Nudge is gentle
I nudged him to wake him.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + shove + object
He shoved the door.
Subject + shove + object + prep
She shoved it into the bag.
Subject + shove + way + prep
He shoved his way out.
Subject + be + shoved + by + agent
He was shoved by the crowd.
If + push + comes + to + shove
If push comes to shove, I will help.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Shove implies force.
Context matters.
It is both.
Shove is informal.
It needs an object.
Tips
When to use
Use it when speed or force is involved.
Say it right
Make the 'sh' sound clearly.
Don't confuse
Don't use it for gentle pushes.
Did you know?
It comes from Old English.
Verb pattern
It needs an object.
Study smart
Learn it with 'push'.
Cultural insight
Used in idioms.
Memory trick
Rhymes with love.
Register
It is informal.
Tense
Regular verb.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Shove rhymes with Love, but it's the opposite of a gentle touch!
Visual Association
Imagine someone shoving a messy pile of clothes into a closet.
Word Web
Challenge
Use 'shove' in a sentence today.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: To push or cast
Cultural Context
Can be seen as aggressive if directed at a person.
Common in sports and crowded urban areas.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
In a crowd
- shove my way
- don't shove
Cleaning
- shove into a drawer
- shove aside
Sports
- shoved by the player
- illegal shove
Leaving
- time to shove off
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever been shoved in a crowd?"
"When do you feel like shoving things into a bag?"
"Do you think it's rude to shove?"
"What is the best way to deal with someone who shoves?"
"Have you ever told someone to shove off?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you were in a rush.
Write about a crowded place.
Have you ever felt frustrated enough to shove something?
What does 'if push comes to shove' mean to you?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, if directed at a person.
No, use press.
Yes.
A shove.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
Shoved.
Test Yourself
Don't ___ me!
Shove means push.
Which means to push roughly?
Shove is a rough push.
Shove is a very gentle word.
Shove implies force.
Word
Meaning
Phrasal verbs.
Subject-verb-object.
Score: /5
Summary
Shove is a forceful, often hurried push that implies a lack of gentleness.
- Shove means a rough push.
- It is often used for objects.
- It is an informal word.
- It is a regular verb.
When to use
Use it when speed or force is involved.
Say it right
Make the 'sh' sound clearly.
Don't confuse
Don't use it for gentle pushes.
Did you know?
It comes from Old English.
