push-away Meaning

Definition and Meaning

Push-away (verb)

1. To physically move something away from oneself, typically using one’s hands or body.

   • Example: She pushed away the plate of food when she lost her appetite.

2. To emotionally or socially distance oneself from someone or something.

   • Example: He tends to push away those who try to get close to him.

Etymology

The term “push” originates from the Middle English “pussen,” and its roots can be traced back to the Old English “pyssan,” which means to thrust or to shove. “Away” comes from the Old English “on weg,” meaning “on the way,” which indicates movement from a place. Together, “push-away” indicates an action of thrusting something away, both in a physical and metaphorical sense.

Literal and Figurative Uses

• Literal Usage: When one physically pushes an object away, creating distance between themselves and the object.

  • Example: “He pushed away the door to enter the room.”

• Figurative Usage: In emotional contexts, it refers to someone avoiding closeness or intimacy with another person.

  • Example: “After their argument, she began to push him away emotionally.”

Common Phrases or Idioms Featuring the Term

• Push away the doubts: To dismiss or reject feelings of uncertainty.
• Push away from the table: A phrase often used to encourage someone to stop eating.

Contextual Usage & Example Sentences

1. After receiving the bad news, she instinctively pushed away her friends who tried to comfort her.
2. He pushed away the stack of papers, overwhelmed by the workload.
3. In therapy, she learned not to push away the people who care about her.
4. The child pushed away his toy when he lost interest in playing.
5. Feeling suffocated, James began to push away all the expectations placed on him.
6. As she became more successful, she found herself pushing away the negativity from her past.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

• Shove away
• Thrust
• Dismiss
• Reject
• Alienate

Antonyms:

• Pull closer
• Embrace
• Welcome
• Accept
• Invite

In summary, “push-away” encapsulates both a physical action of moving an object away from oneself and a more complex emotional or social behavior of distancing oneself from others. Understanding both meanings can enhance comprehension in various conversational contexts.

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