Definition
English idiom – “(if/when) push comes to shove” 🫸🏻
This idiom is used when a situation becomes very serious or bad, and you have to take action or make a decision.
For example – “If push comes to shove, we can use our savings to pay for the rent.”
Clip 1
Scandal – Season 7 Episode 16 (2018)
The main character Olivia had planned to kill a man named Cyrus by using poisoned wine. Just before Cyrus is about to drink the wine a man called Jake enters the room and stops him. Aware of Olivia’s plan, Jake sets the glass aside and puts a gun in his mouth and challenges Olivia to pull the trigger. When she refuses to shoot him, Jake says to her “when push comes to shove, you don’t actually do anything,” to insinuate she cannot handle high pressure situations.
Clip 2
Law & Order Special Victims Unit – Season 24 Episode 12 (2023)
The female character in this clip, Detective Churlish, is telling her fellow detective, Detective Velasco, that she will not lie about him supplying drugs to an inmate during an interrogation if they are questioned by their superiors. Her saying “If push comes to shove, I’m not gonna lie for you” is referring to the potential situation of being questioned about the interrogation and that she will tell the truth if it happens.
Clip 3
Red Dwarf – Season 11 Episode 3 (2016)
The character in the clip, Lister, has his kidneys stolen by a robot . His only hope is to persuade Cat, the universe’s most self-centred creatures, to donate one of his. Lister tells Cat “I know you and when push comes to shove, you’ll do the right thing.” Lister is telling Cat he believes that he will help him since it is such a serious situation.
Clip 4
The Closer – Season 1 Episode 13 (2005)
The male character Fritz suggests to Brenda that they could consider moving in together. This proposal arises during a conversation where Brenda is expressing frustration about her professional challenges and contemplating resignation. Fritz mentions that if circumstances become more difficult, they might think about cohabiting to share expenses, indicating his support and commitment to their relationship. He uses “If push comes to shove,” to reference these difficult circumstances.