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shove down

B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To push something down hard, or to eat food very fast without really tasting it

Literal meaning: To shove something in a downward direction — transparent

Meanings

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."

Grammar: separable
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."

Grammar: 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."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

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.

Commonly used with

food sandwich tablet throat hatch opinion

Forms

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

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