Push vs. Pull

Push vs. Pull — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Push and Pull

Pushverb

To apply a force to (an object) such that it moves away from the person or thing applying the force.

In his anger he pushed me against the wall and threatened me.You need to push quite hard to get this door open.

Pullinterjection

(sports) Command used by a target shooter to request that the target be released/launched.

Pushverb

(transitive) To continually attempt to persuade (a person) into a particular course of action.

Pullnoun

An act of pulling (applying force)

He gave the hair a sharp pull and it came out.

Pushverb

(transitive) To press or urge forward; to drive.

to push an objection too far; to push one's luck

Pullnoun

An attractive force which causes motion towards the source

The spaceship came under the pull of the gas giant.iron fillings drawn by the pull of a magnetShe took a pull on her cigarette.
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Pushverb

(transitive) To continually promote (a point of view, a product for sale, etc.).

Stop pushing the issue — I'm not interested.They're pushing that perfume again.There were two men hanging around the school gates today, pushing drugs.

Pullnoun

Any device meant to be pulled, as a lever, knob, handle, or rope

a zipper pull

Pushverb

To approach; to come close to.

My old car is pushing 250,000 miles.He's pushing sixty. (= he's nearly sixty years old)

Pullnoun

Something in one's favour in a comparison or a contest; an advantage; means of influencing.

In weights the favourite had the pull.

Pushverb

(intransitive) To tense the muscles in the abdomen in order to expel its contents.

During childbirth, there are times when the obstetrician advises the woman not to push.

Pullnoun

Appeal or attraction (as of a movie star)

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Pushverb

(intransitive) To continue to attempt to persuade a person into a particular course of action.

Pullnoun

The situation where a client sends out a request for data from a server, as in server pull, pull technology

Pushverb

To make a higher bid at an auction.

Pullnoun

A journey made by rowing

Pushverb

(poker) To make an all-in bet.

Pullnoun

(dated) A contest; a struggle.

a wrestling pull

Pushverb

To move (a pawn) directly forward.

Pullnoun

Loss or violence suffered.

Pushverb

(computing) To add (a data item) to the top of a stack.

Pullnoun

(slang) The act of drinking.

to take a pull at a mug of beer

Pushverb

(computing) To publish (an update, etc.) by transmitting it to other computers.

Pullnoun

(cricket) A kind of stroke by which a leg ball is sent to the off side, or an off ball to the side.

Pushverb

(obsolete) To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore.

Pullnoun

(golf) A mishit shot which travels in a straight line and (for a right-handed player) left of the intended path.

Pushverb

To burst out of its pot, as a bud or shoot.

Pullverb

To apply a force to (an object) so that it comes toward the person or thing applying the force.

When I give the signal, pull the rope.You're going to have to pull harder to get that cork out of the bottle.

Pushverb

(snooker) To strike the cue ball in such a way that it stays in contact with the cue and object ball at the same time (a foul shot)

Pullverb

To gather with the hand, or by drawing toward oneself; to pluck.

to pull fruit from a tree; to pull flax; to pull a finch

Pushnoun

A short, directed application of force; an act of pushing.

Give the door a hard push if it sticks.

Pullverb

To attract or net; to pull in.

Pushnoun

An act of tensing the muscles of the abdomen in order to expel its contents.

One more push and the baby will be out.

Pullverb

To draw apart; to tear; to rend.

Pushnoun

A great effort (to do something).

Some details got lost in the push to get the project done.Let's give one last push on our advertising campaign.

Pullverb

To persuade (someone) to have sex with one.

I pulled at the club last night.He's pulled that bird over there.

Pushnoun

An attempt to persuade someone into a particular course of action.

Pullverb

(transitive) To remove (something), especially from public circulation or availability.

Each day, they pulled the old bread and set out fresh loaves.

Pushnoun

(military) A marching or drill maneuver/manoeuvre performed by moving a formation (especially a company front) forward or toward the audience, usually to accompany a dramatic climax or crescendo in the music.

Pullverb

To do or perform.

He regularly pulls 12-hour days, sometimes 14.You'll be sent home if you pull another stunt like that.

Pushnoun

A wager that results in no loss or gain for the bettor as a result of a tie or even score

Pullverb

(transitive) To retrieve or generate for use.

I'll have to pull a part number for that.

Pushnoun

(computing) The addition of a data item to the top of a stack.

Pullverb

To toss a frisbee with the intention of launching the disc across the length of a field.

Pushnoun

The situation where a server sends data to a client without waiting for a request, as in server push, push technology.

Pullverb

(intransitive) To row.

Pushnoun

A particular crowd or throng or people.

Pullverb

(transitive) To strain (a muscle, tendon, ligament, etc.).

Pushnoun

(snooker) A foul shot in which the cue ball is in contact with the cue and the object ball at the same time

Pullverb

To draw (a hostile non-player character) into combat, or toward or away from some location or target.

Pushnoun

A pustule; a pimple.

Pullverb

To score a certain amount of points in a sport.

Pushnoun

the act of applying force in order to move something away;

he gave the door a hard pushthe pushing is good exercise

Pullverb

(horse-racing) To hold back, and so prevent from winning.

The favourite was pulled.

Pushnoun

the force used in pushing;

the push of the water on the walls of the tankthe thrust of the jet engines

Pullverb

To take or make (a proof or impression); so called because hand presses were worked by pulling a lever.

Pushnoun

enterprising or ambitious drive;

Europeans often laugh at American energy

Pullverb

To strike the ball in a particular manner. (See noun sense.)

Pushnoun

an electrical switch operated by pressing a button;

the elevator was operated by push buttonsthe push beside the bed operated a buzzer at the desk

Pullverb

(UK) To draw beer from a pump, keg, or other source.

Let's stop at Finnigan's. The barman pulls a good pint.

Pushnoun

an effort to advance;

the army made a push toward the sea

Pullverb

To pull out from a yard or station; to leave.

Pushverb

move with force,

He pushed the table into a corner

Pullnoun

the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you;

the pull up the hill had him breathing harderhis strenuous pulling strained his back

Pushverb

press, drive, or impel (someone) to action or completion of an action;

He pushed her to finish her doctorate

Pullnoun

the force used in pulling;

the pull of the moonthe pull of the current

Pushverb

make publicity for; try to sell (a product);

The salesman is aggressively pushing the new computer modelThe company is heavily advertizing their new laptops

Pullnoun

special advantage or influence;

the chairman's nephew has a lot of pull

Pushverb

strive and make an effort to reach a goal;

She tugged for years to make a decent livingWe have to push a little to make the deadline!She is driving away at her doctoral thesis

Pullnoun

a device used for pulling something;

he grabbed the pull and opened the drawer

Pushverb

press against forcefully without being able to move;

she pushed against the wall with all her strength

Pullnoun

a sharp strain on muscles or ligaments;

the wrench to his knee occurred as he fellhe was sidelined with a hamstring pull

Pushverb

approach a certain age or speed;

She is pushing fifty

Pullnoun

a slow inhalation (as of tobacco smoke);

he took a puff on his pipehe took a drag on his cigarette and expelled the smoke slowly

Pushverb

exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for;

The liberal party pushed for reformsShe is crusading for women's rightsThe Dean is pushing for his favorite candidate

Pullnoun

a sustained effort;

it was a long pull but we made it

Pushverb

sell or promote the sale of (illegal goods such as drugs);

The guy hanging around the school is pushing drugs

Pullverb

cause to move along the ground by pulling;

draw a wagonpull a sled

Pushverb

move strenuously and with effort;

The crowd pushed forward

Pullverb

direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes;

Her good looks attract the stares of many menThe ad pulled in many potential customersThis pianist pulls huge crowdsThe store owner was happy that the ad drew in many new customers

Pushverb

make strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby;

`Now push hard,' said the doctor to the woman

Pullverb

move into a certain direction;

the car pulls to the right

Pullverb

apply force so as to cause motion towards the source of the motion;

Pull the ropePull the handle towards youpull the string gentlypull the trigger of the gunpull your kneees towards your chin

Pullverb

perform an act, usually with a negative connotation;

perpetrate a crimepull a bank robbery

Pullverb

bring, take, or pull out of a container or from under a cover;

draw a weaponpull out a gunThe mugger pulled a knife on his victim

Pullverb

steer into a certain direction;

pull one's horse to a standPull the car over

Pullverb

strain abnormally;

I pulled a muscle in my leg when I jumped upThe athlete pulled a tendon in the competition

Pullverb

cause to move in a certain direction by exerting a force upon, either physically or in an abstract sense;

A declining dollar pulled down the export figures for the last quarter

Pullverb

operate when rowing a boat;

pull the oars

Pullverb

rein in to keep from winning a race;

pull a horse

Pullverb

tear or be torn violently;

The curtain ripped from top to bottompull the cooked chicken into strips

Pullverb

hit in the direction that the player is facing when carrying through the swing;

pull the ball

Pullverb

strip of feathers;

pull a chickenpluck the capon

Pullverb

draw or pull out, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense;

pull weedsextract a bad toothtake out a splinterextract information from the telegram

Pullverb

take sides with; align oneself with; show strong sympathy for;

We all rooted for the home teamI'm pulling for the underdogAre you siding with the defender of the title?

Pullverb

take away;

pull the old soup cans from the supermarket shelf