Common Phrases

[efremis]

Hello

What is the origins of the phrase "when push comes to shove?"

Thanks

Jeff

[Quizmonster]

This was originally an Americanism and - rather surprisingly - there is no record of it prior to the 1950s. A push is a relatively mild action...eg we might push a key into a lock...whereas a shove is much more forceful or violent/aggressive. So, the idea behind the phrase is that more decisive action has to be taken when things reach a certain stage.