C1idiominformaldecisionsIELTS-friendly
when push comes to shove
USUK
when a situation becomes critical and you must act or choose
Usually opens the sentence: 'When push comes to shove, ...' or 'if push comes to shove'. Slightly informal. Nobody is really pushing.
In context
When push comes to shove, most people choose family over their job.
I never thought I would leave, but when push came to shove, I did.
Common mistake
Incorrect: When push come to shove, I will stay.
Correct: When push comes to shove, I will stay.
More idioms about decisions
- a Catch-22a situation you can't escape because each solution depends on the other
- a change of hearta change in your opinion or plan, usually towards a kinder or different view
- a double-edged swordsomething that has both good and bad effects
- a fait accomplisomething already decided or done that others must now accept
- a foregone conclusiona result that is certain before it happens