What Does “Press sb for sth” Mean?
“Press sb for sth” means to ask someone repeatedly or insistently to give information, make a decision, or provide something.
Introduction
The phrasal verb Press sb for sth is commonly used in English when someone is urging or pushing another person to respond or act. It often involves asking questions or requesting information persistently. Understanding the Press sb for sth meaning helps learners express situations where pressure or insistence is involved in communication. This phrase is useful in both formal and informal contexts, such as during negotiations, interviews, or everyday conversations when you want a clear answer or action from someone.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Press somebody for something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To ask someone repeatedly or insistently for something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
This phrasal verb is separable. You can place the object (somebody) between “press” and “for,” but the phrase “for something” stays together.
- Press sb for sth
- Example: They pressed him for an answer.
Note: You cannot separate “for” from the object that follows it.
How to Use Press sb for sth?
Use “press sb for sth” when you want to describe someone repeatedly asking or urging another person to provide something. This can be information, a decision, money, or any other object. It often implies some urgency or insistence.
Common contexts include:
- Journalists pressing politicians for answers
- Friends pressing each other for a secret
- Employers pressing employees for reports
Examples
When Sarah didn’t answer quickly, her boss pressed her for the report.
Here are more examples of Press sb for sth in a sentence:
- The police pressed the suspect for more details about the crime.
- Don’t press me for an answer until I’m ready.
- They pressed the company for a refund after the product broke.
- The interviewer pressed him for his opinion on the issue.
Common Mistakes
It’s easy to misuse “press sb for sth” by mixing word order or prepositions.
- Incorrect: They pressed for him an answer.
- Correct: They pressed him for an answer.
- Incorrect: She pressed him about the money.
- Correct: She pressed him for the money.
Remember, always use “press sb for sth,” not “press sb about sth.”
Differences / Synonyms
“Press sb for sth” is similar to “push sb for sth” or “ask sb repeatedly.” However, “press” implies more insistence or urgency.
- Push sb for sth: More forceful or physical pressure, sometimes less polite.
- Ask sb repeatedly: Neutral, but less formal.
- Press sb for sth: Polite but firm insistence on a response or action.
Common Collocations
People often press others for specific things. Here are common collocations with “press sb for sth”:
- Press sb for information: To insist on getting details.
- Press sb for an answer: To urge a response.
- Press sb for money: To request payment persistently.
- Press sb for a decision: To push someone to decide.
- Press sb for a confession: To urge someone to admit something.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of press sb for sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a natural conversation using “press sb for sth”:
Anna: Have you talked to Tom about the project deadline?
Ben: Yes, but he’s avoiding the question.
Anna: You should press him for a clear date. We need to plan ahead.
Ben: I will. It’s important we get an answer soon.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of “press sb for sth”:
- The manager __________ the team __________ the report before the meeting.
- Journalists __________ the politician __________ more details about the scandal.
- Don’t __________ me __________ an answer if you’re not sure yet.
FAQ
- What does “press sb for sth” mean? It means to ask someone repeatedly or insistently for something.
- Is “press sb for sth” formal or informal? It can be used in both formal and informal situations.
- Can I say “press sb about sth”? No, the correct phrase is “press sb for sth.”
- Is the phrasal verb separable? Yes, you can separate “press” and the person, but “for sth” stays together.
- What are synonyms for “press sb for sth”? Similar phrases include “push sb for sth” and “ask sb repeatedly.”
