What does pushover mean?
Pushover is an informal English noun for a person who is easily persuaded, influenced, or defeated, especially someone who gives way too easily. It can also describe an opponent, obstacle, or task that presents little real difficulty, as in “the final match was a pushover.” The term commonly carries a mildly negative or teasing connotation when used about people, suggesting weakness, susceptibility to persuasion, or an inability to stand firm. When used for a task or opponent, it is often playful and emphasizes ease rather than moral judgment. Pushover is useful in both serious and conversational English because it efficiently conveys the contrast between something that offers little resistance and something that is genuinely challenging. The word is recognized in British and American English, though its everyday usage is more informal than formal writing.
nounA person who is easily persuaded, influenced, or defeated. It can also refer to an opponent, obstacle, or task that is easy to overcome.
- A person who is easily persuaded, influenced, or defeated.
- An opponent, obstacle, or task that is easy to overcome.
"He was always a pushover whenever anyone asked him to help."
"I knew I was a pushover, so I put my phone away before the negotiation began."
"The defending team was a pushover, and the match was effectively over by halftime."
Usually countable. The plural is used for people, opponents, tasks, or obstacles considered easy to overcome.
"The young defenders proved to be pushovers against the league's strongest attackers."
From something that can be toppled with a push to anyone too easily swayed or defeated, “pushover” captures the idea of effortless resistance giving way.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pushover come from?
The expression is an English compound formed from the verb phrase “push over,” meaning to knock down with a push, and the suffix “-er,” indicating a person or thing that can be pushed over. It developed in the 20th century, initially referring to someone easily overcome and later extending to easy tasks, opponents, and obstacles. The word belongs to the same English lexical family as forms such as pusher, pushy, pushback, and pushcart.
How pushover is actually used
The word is informal and can sound mildly disparaging when applied to a person. In its second sense, it is often used in sports, work, and everyday descriptions of tasks or opponents.
Easily confused with pushover
A pushover is a person, task, or opponent that is easy to overcome, whereas a walkover is especially a contest or victory that is virtually uncontested.
A pushover is easily influenced or defeated, while a doormat is someone who is treated with excessive deference or is exploited.