push back

Related to push back: push forward

push back

1. To move someone or something backward by exerting force against them or it. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "push" and "back." Would you help me push the kitchen table back against the wall, please? I pushed him back when he got too close to me.
2. To stall, delay, or postpone something until a later time or date. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "push" and "back." They decided to push back the release date of their war film as a sign of respect to the victims of the attack. We've pushed this product back too much already—I want it out and in people's hands by the first of May, come hell or high water!
3. To resist, oppose, or protest something. The management tried to restructure the way employees' pensions would be paid, but workers pushed back hard. People are pushing back against proposed legislation that would limit their ability to travel outside the country.
See also: back, push
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

push someone or something back (from someone or something)

to move or force someone or something back from someone or something. I quickly pushed her back from the edge. She almost fell over. There wasn't enough room, so we pushed back the furniture. Tony pushed Jane back from the edge.
See also: back, push
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

push back

v.
1. To move or force something backward by applying pressure: Push that glass back from the edge of the table. The police managed to push back the protestors by using tear gas.
2. To delay something until a future time; postpone something: We should push back the deadline so that we have more time to work on the project. They pushed the meeting back to Thursday because two of the officers were sick.
See also: back, push
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • back into
  • back into (someone or something)
  • orient
  • orient to
  • orient to (something)
  • spiff up
  • spiffed up
  • angle
  • angling
  • ask back
References in periodicals archive
When you are ready for full classic push-ups: Palms and feet on the floor, with a flat back and tight abs, lower yourself until your elbows are at 90 degrees and push back up.
A BEGINNER'S CIRCUIT WORKOUT
"This is not push back, it is a message that we are not push-overs," he told the Times of Malta website.
Malta cancels migrant flights after European court order
"Everybody is looking to push back to 2010," Lutze said.
Company Watch - GE Aviation
Depending on what you're storing, a carton flow, pallet flow, push back or high density system might be what you need, especially if you're looking to save space.
Dynamic storage
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to push back by two years the deadline for oil pipelines to comply with new requirements for their Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans.
EPA pushes back deadline for spill plans
Bishop Fred Henry of Calgary gave one of his recent pastoral letters the subtitle: "It is time to push back." He was referring to the need for Catholics to actively counter the debilitating, soul-destroying, secularist, pagan ideology which, with great arrogance, has invaded our society, including Catholic homes, schools, and parishes, and even houses of religious men and women.
Spiritual energy and Christian roots
Although Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said he expects the death sentence to be carried out before the end of the year, others say that the appeal process could push back the execution date into 2007.
Saddam Hussein convicted, sentenced to death by hanging
Due to a lot of push back from superintendents, however, the proposal's wording was changed from require to urge.
Making foreign language a priority
As more particles push back, the person can swim--.
Ben Franklin's workshop: celebrating a lifetime of invention
The amendment seeks to push back the start of each fiscal year to May 1.
NY Building Congress opposes budget reform
Nirenstein contends that it is impossible to push back at the ground while running.
RUNNING--JUST UNDO IT
The 12-week Walk-Run program was originally developed to get adults more physically active during the first "jogging" push back in the late 1960s, and trainers and coaches still consider it an effective program for all ages.
"One-on-One, Walk & Run" program
When last year's Monitoring the Future Study found that illegal drug use was down among teenagers, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) trumpeted the results as evidence that "when we push back against the drug problem, it gets smaller."
Lack of pride
"Most people would agree, but where you get the push back is politically.
Meet me in Miami
By keeping water in the pool, its weight will push back against the water underneath.
Get ready for winter