1 B1 informal
To push someone roughly, causing them to move or stumble
"A fight broke out when one player started shoving the other around near the goal."
separable
shove around
B1 informal separable transitive
To treat someone in a bullying or disrespectful way, or to push them roughly
In plain English
To boss someone around or push them in a rough, rude way
What does "shove around" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To treat someone in a domineering or bullying way, disregarding their rights or feelings
"I won't let anyone shove me around in this office — I'll speak up if something's wrong."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To shove someone so they move around — transparent
Actually means
To boss someone around or push them in a rough, rude way
Usage tip
Common in American English. In the physical sense, describes rough contact. In the figurative sense, means to dominate or mistreat someone. Often followed by a strong assertion of resistance: 'I won't be shoved around.'
Words that pair with "shove around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
people staff employees kids neighbours
How to conjugate "shove around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
shove around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shoves around
he/she/it
Past simple
shoved around
yesterday
Past participle
shoved around
have + pp
-ing form
shoving around
continuous
Hear "shove around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "shove around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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