The term "push away" refers to physically moving something or someone farther from oneself. The IPA phonetic transcription for the word "push" is /pʊʃ/, while that for "away" is /əˈweɪ/. The spelling of "push away" follows general English spelling conventions, where "push" is spelled as it is pronounced with a "sh" sound, and "away" is spelled with an "a" and "y" diphthong before a silent "y". Correct spelling is crucial for effective communication and clear expression of ideas.
Push away is a phrasal verb that can have multiple interpretations based on the context in which it is used. One definition of push away refers to physically moving something or someone away from oneself or a particular location by using force or pressure. It implies the act of exerting strength or applying resistance to displace an object or individual, often resulting in creating distance between the subject and the recipient. For instance, a person may push away a chair from a table to create space to walk, or a goalkeeper can push away a football to prevent it from reaching the net.
On the other hand, push away can also be used metaphorically to describe emotional or psychological actions. In this sense, it means to deliberately distance oneself from someone or something due to a desire to create space or as a self-protective measure. It can imply rejecting or refusing emotional connection, intimacy, or support. For example, a person experiencing fear or insecurity may push away their loved ones as a defense mechanism to avoid vulnerability or potential disappointment.
Overall, push away can denote both physical and emotional actions of creating separation or withdrawing from someone or something, either through physical force or psychological mechanisms.
The word "push" comes from the Middle English word "pushen", which derived from the Old French word "pousser" meaning "to push, thrust, or shove". In turn, "pousser" originated from the Latin word "pulsare" meaning "to beat, strike, or push".
The addition of "away" in the phrase "push away" is a straightforward combination of the word "push" with the adverb "away". "Away" comes from the Middle English term "awaye", which can be traced back to the Old English word "onweg" meaning "onward". The term "awaye" combines the Old English elements "an" (meaning "on" or "in") and "weg" (meaning "way" or "road").