shove about
B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To push someone around roughly, or to treat them badly
Literal meaning: To shove someone so they move about in different directions — transparent
Meanings
1 B1 informal
To push someone or something roughly in various directions
"He was shoved about by the crowd as he tried to push through to the front."
Grammar: separable
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
To treat a person disrespectfully, aggressively, or as if they have no importance
"She got tired of being shoved about by her employer and finally resigned."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Primarily British English. In the physical sense, describes rough handling. In the figurative sense, describes treating someone dismissively or like they have no power. Often used in the passive: 'he got shoved about'.
Commonly used with
crowd people workers kids staff belongings
Forms
Base
shove about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shoves about
he/she/it
Past simple
shoved about
yesterday
Past participle
shoved about
have + pp
-ing form
shoving about
continuous
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