when push comes to shove
When it matters
When push comes to shove describes the moment when a situation becomes serious and decisive action is required.
The phrase evokes escalating physical confrontation—first a push, then a harder shove—as a metaphor for increasing pressure.
It often introduces what someone will do when forced to choose or act: When push comes to shove, she'll side with her family.
Sometimes shortened to if push comes to shove.
- tensionStretched or strained state
- under pressureExperiencing duress or stress
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- urgencyPressing need for action
- fight or flightThreat-triggered physiological state
resolve · confrontation · choice · determination · pragmatism · courage · crunch time · showdown · moment of truth · gut check · true colors · judgment · crisis · compromise · escalation · ultimatum · commitment · dilemma
- decisionschoice, make a decision, choices, yes, no
when push comes to shovein theory
Hypothetically, not actually
hypothetically · all things being equal · in a perfect world · casually · in principle
shove, pushes, pushed, pusher, pushers, shoves, shoved, comes, comers