1 B1 informal
To push something downward with force or roughness
"He shoved the lid down on the overstuffed suitcase and sat on it to close the zip."
separable
shove down
B1 informal separable transitive
To push or force something downward with force, or to eat or swallow food quickly and without enjoyment
In plain English
To push something down hard, or to eat food very fast without really tasting it
What does "shove down" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To eat food quickly and without pleasure, often because of limited time
"She shoved down a sandwich at her desk before running to the next meeting."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To force an idea, opinion, or belief on someone who does not want to accept it
"I'm sick of having their corporate values shoved down my throat at every team meeting."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To shove something in a downward direction — transparent
Actually means
To push something down hard, or to eat food very fast without really tasting it
Usage tip
Used in both physical and food-related contexts. The eating sense ('shove food down') implies eating without pleasure, often out of necessity or in a hurry. Can also mean forcing an unpleasant idea or experience on someone.
Words that pair with "shove down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
food sandwich tablet throat hatch opinion
How to conjugate "shove down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
shove down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shoves down
he/she/it
Past simple
shoved down
yesterday
Past participle
shoved down
have + pp
-ing form
shoving down
continuous
Hear "shove down" in the wild
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