1 A2 informal
To move along a seat or bench to allow space for another person to sit
"'Shove up, would you?' she asked the boy who was sprawled across half the bus seat."
shove up
A2 informal intransitive
To move along or closer together to make space for another person
In plain English
To move a bit so someone else can sit or stand next to you
What does "shove up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To push or move something upward by shoving
"He shoved up the stiff window sash with both hands until it finally opened."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To shove yourself or others upward along a seat — the directional meaning is metaphorical (moving 'up' toward one end)
Actually means
To move a bit so someone else can sit or stand next to you
Usage tip
Very common in British English, especially on public transport, in cinemas, at dining tables, or on sofas. Usually an imperative: 'Shove up!' The particle 'up' here means compressing or moving toward a fixed end, not moving upward.
Words that pair with "shove up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
sofa bus bench table seat train
How to conjugate "shove up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
shove up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shoves up
he/she/it
Past simple
shoved up
yesterday
Past participle
shoved up
have + pp
-ing form
shoving up
continuous
Hear "shove up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "shove up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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