Be pushing 40, 50, etc.
phrase
To be nearly a certain age, especially a significant one like 40, 50, 60 etc.
John is pushing 40, but he's still very athletic.

Often appears as...
- john is pushing 40
- he's pushing 50
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
phrase
To be nearly a certain age, especially a significant one like 40, 50, 60 etc.
John is pushing 40, but he's still very athletic.

Often appears as...
- john is pushing 40
- he's pushing 50
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 1

Age Sensitivity
Use carefully as it may imply someone is older than they feel, possibly offending them.

You may look young, but you're pushing 40, aren't you?
Colloquial Usage
It's casual and often used in informal conversations, not for formal or written contexts.

My brother is pushing 30 and starting to worry about his career.
Cultural Nuance
In some cultures, talking about age directly can be sensitive, so use this phrase with discretion.

Despite being pushing 50, she's still into pop culture.
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