english
1
general::
press
to push something down or against a surface with your fingers or foot:
• The doctor gently pressed her stomach. • To move forward, press the accelerator. • I pressed ‘delete’ and started again.
squeeze
to press something inwards from both sides:
• It’s one of those balls that make a funny noise when you squeeze it. • Squeeze the lemon and add the juice to the sauce.
squash
to press something against a surface accidentally and damage it by making it flat:
• Don’t squash the tomatoes. • He sat on my hat and squashed it.
crush
to press something very hard so that it breaks into very small pieces, or is very badly damaged:
• Crush two cloves of garlic. • The front of the car was completely crushed in the crash.
mash
to press cooked vegetables or fruit until they are soft and smooth:
• Mash the potatoes while they are warm. • Babies love mashed bananas.
grind
to press something solid until it becomes a powder, using a machine or tool:
• the machine that grinds the corn • freshly ground coffee
Longman-Thesaurus
2
general::
press on/ahead
to start or continue doing something in a determined way, often despite problems
• It was pouring with rain, but we pressed on regardless.
• The government is pressing ahead with its plans to reorganize the health service., press sth on sb
to give something to someone and not allow them to refuse to accept it
• All the children had sweets and presents pressed on them by the visitors.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
3
general::
Phrase(s): press someone or something
into service to force someone or something to serve or function. • I don’t think you can press him into service just yet. He isn’t trained. • I think that in an emergency, we could press this machine into service.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
4
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with PRESS, Also see HARD PRESSED; HOT OFF THE PRESS; PUSH (PRESS) ONE'S LUCK; PUSH (PRESS) SOMEONE'S BUTTONS. Also see under PUSH.
American Heritage Idioms
5
general::
noun media ADJ. foreign, international, local, national, provincial | gutter, popular, quality, tabloid | financial, music | free A free press is fundamental to democracy. PRESS + NOUN release, statement He issued a press statement insisting on his innocence. | coverage, report extensive press coverage of the event | cuttings He kept a scrapbook containing press cuttings of his concerts. | officer | photographer | agency | ad, advertisement | campaign | freedom PREP. in the ~ There was no mention of the incident in the national press. PHRASES get/have a good/bad, etc. press His latest novel didn't get a very good press (= was not praised in the media). machine for printing ADJ. printing VERB + PRESS go to The newspaper goes to press at 6 o'clock. PRESS + VERB roll The presses are already rolling. PREP. in ~ Their new book is in press. PHRASES hot off the press We've just received a copy of her latest book, hot off the press., verb push sth firmly ADV. firmly, hard She pressed down hard on the gas pedal. | gently, lightly | close/closely He pressed up closer against the wall, terrified of being seen. | back, down, forward, together, up The crowd pressed forward. She pressed her lips together. PREP. against She pressed her face against the window. | into Bella pressed her face into the pillow. | on She pressed on the doorbell. | to He pressed a finger gently to her lips. PHRASES press sth flat/open/shut He pressed the lid firmly shut. try to persuade sb ADV. strongly In the interview he strongly pressed his point of view. | consistently, continually, repeatedly | further | successfully VERB + PRESS continue to PREP. for The party will continue to press the case for a new electoral system. | on I did not press him further on the issue. iron sth PHRASES immaculately/neatly pressed his immaculately pressed suit PHRASAL VERBS press on ADV. blindly | boldly PREP. with They pressed boldly on with their plan. PHRASES press on regardless The weather was dreadful but we pressed on regardless.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
6
general::
press
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + press
the national press
• There was very little about the incident in the national press.
the local press
• Evening classes are advertised in the local press.
the British/American etc press
• The British press have blamed other countries for North Sea pollution.
the foreign press
• African countries want the foreign press to report African affairs.
the quality press
(= newspapers intended for educated people )
• The book received excellent reviews in the quality press.
the tabloid/popular press
(= popular newspapers that have a lot of news about famous people etc, rather than serious news )
• He regularly appeared in the tabloid press alongside well-known actresses.
the gutter press
British English (= newspapers that print shocking stories about people’s private lives )
• The gutter press enjoyed printing the sensational story.
a free press
(= reporters whose reports are not restricted by the government )
• I am glad that we have a free press in this country.
verbs
talk/speak to the press
• He is reluctant to talk to the press.
tell the press something
• ‘It was a really tough decision,’ she told the press.
leak something to the press
(= give them secret information in an unofficial way )
• The confidential report was leaked to the press.
press + NOUN
press reports
• According to press reports, he was suffering from exhaustion.
press coverage
(= articles in newspapers )
• The event received a lot of press coverage.
a press photographer
• A group of press photographers was waiting for her outside.
transnet.ir
7
general::
verb
urge:
We will press our demands to them.
noun
newspapers:
We must have a free press.
verb
squeeze:
We press the grapes to get the juice.
Simple Definitions