15秒了解
- Move an object further from your body.
- Act coldly to create emotional distance.
- Commonly used in relationships and psychology.
- Can be used literally or metaphorically.
意思
To physically move something away from you using your hands, or to emotionally distance yourself from someone you care about.
关键例句
3 / 6At a restaurant
I was so full that I had to push away the plate.
I moved the plate away because I was full.
Discussing a relationship
Stop pushing me away and tell me what is wrong!
Stop acting distant and talk to me.
Professional feedback
He tends to push away constructive criticism.
He ignores or rejects helpful advice.
文化背景
In the US, 'pushing away' is a common topic in 'self-help' culture. It is often linked to 'attachment styles' (specifically avoidant attachment). The British 'stiff upper lip' can sometimes be interpreted as pushing people away, as it involves hiding emotions and maintaining distance. The concept of 'Honne' (true feelings) vs 'Tatemae' (public face) means that 'pushing away' might be done very politely and indirectly. In cultures that value high physical contact (like Italy or Greece), pushing someone away physically or emotionally is often seen as a much more dramatic or offensive gesture than in Northern Europe.
The Pronoun Sandwich
Always put 'me, you, him, her, it, us, them' in the middle. 'Push it away!'
Not for Time
Never use 'push away' for a calendar. That's always 'push back' or 'postpone.'
15秒了解
- Move an object further from your body.
- Act coldly to create emotional distance.
- Commonly used in relationships and psychology.
- Can be used literally or metaphorically.
What It Means
Push away is a versatile phrase. It describes a physical action and an emotional one. Physically, it is simple. You use your hands to move an object. Imagine a plate of cold broccoli. You push away the plate. Emotionally, it is deeper. It means acting cold to someone. You might stop texting them. You might avoid their calls. You are trying to create distance between you.
How To Use It
You can use it with objects or people. For objects, it is literal. "He pushed away the heavy chair." For people, it is usually metaphorical. "She is pushing away her friends lately." Notice the word order. You can say push away the person. You can also say push the person away. Both work perfectly. If you use a pronoun like him or her, put it in the middle. Say "push him away," not "push away him."
When To Use It
Use it when you feel overwhelmed. Use it when you need space. It is great for describing drama in movies. You can use it at a dinner table. "I'm full, so I pushed away my dessert." Use it in a breakup conversation. "I felt you pushing me away for weeks." It fits well in therapy or deep talks with best friends. It helps explain why a relationship is failing.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for simple rejection of an idea. For ideas, use reject or dismiss. If a boss says "no" to a raise, he didn't push away your request. He turned it down. Also, do not use it for physical doors. You push a door open. You do not push it away unless you are literally moving the door off its hinges. That would be a very intense day!
Cultural Background
In Western cultures, personal space is very important. Pushing away is often a defense mechanism. People do it when they are scared of getting hurt. It is a common theme in Hollywood movies. The hero pushes away the girl to protect her. In modern dating, it is often called "ghosting" if it happens via text. It reflects the struggle between wanting connection and wanting safety.
Common Variations
You might hear push aside. This is slightly different. Push aside means to ignore something. If you push aside your feelings, you are hiding them. If you push away your feelings, you are trying to get rid of them. There is also push off. This is British slang for "go away." Be careful with that one; it is much ruder!
使用说明
The phrase is very common in daily conversation. Remember that when used emotionally, it implies a gradual process of becoming distant rather than a single event.
The Pronoun Sandwich
Always put 'me, you, him, her, it, us, them' in the middle. 'Push it away!'
Not for Time
Never use 'push away' for a calendar. That's always 'push back' or 'postpone.'
Softening the Blow
If you need to tell someone they are being distant, say 'I feel like you're pushing me away' rather than 'You are pushing me away.'
Physical vs. Emotional
If you can touch it, it's literal. If you can only feel it in your heart, it's figurative.
例句
6I was so full that I had to push away the plate.
I moved the plate away because I was full.
Literal physical use regarding food.
Stop pushing me away and tell me what is wrong!
Stop acting distant and talk to me.
Emotional use during a conflict.
He tends to push away constructive criticism.
He ignores or rejects helpful advice.
Metaphorical use in a work setting.
I'm sorry if I've been pushing you away lately, I've just been stressed.
Sorry if I have been distant recently.
Apologizing for being unavailable.
My cat pushed away the expensive food I bought him.
My cat rejected the fancy food.
Using the phrase for a funny pet behavior.
She pushed away the curtains to see the sunrise.
She moved the curtains to the side.
Physical action of clearing an opening.
自我测试
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'push away'. Remember the pronoun rule!
I tried to give her a hug, but she ________ (me).
The past tense is needed, and the pronoun 'me' must go in the middle.
Which sentence uses 'push away' correctly in a figurative sense?
Choose the best option:
Option B correctly uses the figurative sense of emotional distancing.
Match the sentence to the context.
1. 'Push away the chair.' 2. 'Don't push me away.'
Moving a chair is physical; asking someone not to reject you is emotional.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'I feel like Mark is being very cold lately.' B: 'Yeah, he tends to ________ when he's stressed.'
'Push people away' is the most natural way to describe this habit.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Away vs. Back
练习题库
4 练习I tried to give her a hug, but she ________ (me).
The past tense is needed, and the pronoun 'me' must go in the middle.
Choose the best option:
Option B correctly uses the figurative sense of emotional distancing.
1. 'Push away the chair.' 2. 'Don't push me away.'
Moving a chair is physical; asking someone not to reject you is emotional.
A: 'I feel like Mark is being very cold lately.' B: 'Yeah, he tends to ________ when he's stressed.'
'Push people away' is the most natural way to describe this habit.
🎉 得分： /4
常见问题
12 个问题The action itself is often seen as a rejection, so it can be perceived as rude depending on the context. However, describing the action is neutral.
Yes, but 'push people away' is much more common and sounds more natural to native speakers.
In a physical sense, 'pull toward.' In an emotional sense, 'draw in' or 'embrace.'
Yes, 'I pushed away the dog' is perfectly fine.
The past tense is 'pushed away.' 'Pushen' is not a word in modern English.
Yes, this is a common figurative use meaning to try to stop thinking about something.
'Shove away' is much more forceful and often implies anger or rudeness.
Use it to describe losing customers: 'We don't want to push away our user base with these changes.'
It is always two words as a verb. (Note: 'pushaway' is sometimes used as a technical noun in sports, but it's rare).
Yes, this means he moved his own body away from you using his hands.
Yes, 'alienate' is the more formal, academic version of 'push away.'
Not really. Use 'repel' or 'drive away' (e.g., 'The smell drove me away').
相关表达
drive away
similarTo cause someone to leave by your behavior.
keep at arm's length
similarTo avoid becoming too friendly or close to someone.
shut out
similarTo stop sharing your thoughts or life with someone.
push back
contrastTo delay something or to resist an idea.
fend off
similarTo defend yourself against an attack or unwanted attention.
