Thrust sth aside Meaning & Examples: How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Thrust sth aside” Mean?

“Thrust sth aside” means to push something away quickly or to ignore or reject an idea, feeling, or problem.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “thrust sth aside” is often used when someone wants to physically push something away or mentally ignore an issue or emotion. Understanding the thrust sth aside meaning helps learners express situations where they deliberately avoid dealing with something. Whether it’s a physical action or an emotional response, this phrase is useful in everyday conversations and writing. It adds variety and precision to your English.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: thrust something aside
• Type: transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: push away or ignore something

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Thrust sth aside” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object between “thrust” and “aside” or after “aside.”

• Thrust + object + aside (e.g., She thrust the letter aside.)
• Thrust aside + object (e.g., She thrust aside the letter.)

Because it is transitive, it always needs an object (something to be thrust aside).

How to Use Thrust sth aside?

You can use “thrust sth aside” when describing physical actions, like pushing something away quickly. It is also common to use it metaphorically, meaning to ignore or reject thoughts, feelings, or problems.

For example, you might say, “He thrust his doubts aside and focused on the task.” This means he ignored his doubts to concentrate.

Examples

Here are some natural examples showing how to use “thrust sth aside” in a sentence:

• She thrust the papers aside and stood up to leave.
• Despite the criticism, he thrust his fears aside and continued working.
• When faced with bad news, it’s common to thrust your worries aside temporarily.
• He tried to thrust aside the memory of his failure and move on.
• The manager thrust aside the complaints to focus on the project deadline.

Common Mistakes

People sometimes confuse “thrust sth aside” with other phrasal verbs or use it incorrectly without an object. Here are examples of incorrect and correct usage:

• Incorrect: She thrust aside without saying a word. (Missing object)
• Correct: She thrust her feelings aside without saying a word.
• Incorrect: He thrust aside quickly. (No object, unclear meaning)
• Correct: He thrust the book aside quickly.

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrasal verbs include “push aside,” “brush aside,” and “cast aside.” All mean to ignore or reject something, but with subtle differences:

• Push aside – often physical or metaphorical, slightly less forceful.
• Brush aside – suggests dismissing something lightly or with little attention.
• Cast aside – implies throwing away or abandoning something completely.

“Thrust aside” suggests a stronger, more forceful action than “brush aside,” but can be similar to “push aside.”

Common Collocations

You will often see “thrust sth aside” used with these objects:

• Fears – feelings of fear or anxiety
• Doubts – uncertainties or concerns
• Problems – difficulties or issues
• Complaints – expressions of dissatisfaction
• Memories – past experiences or thoughts

These collocations help you understand common contexts where the phrase is used.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of thrust sth aside:

• Thrust Sth Upon Sb
• Thrust Sb Upon Sb

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “thrust sth aside”:

Alice: I’m worried about the exam results.

Ben: Don’t stress too much. Just thrust those worries aside and focus on what you can control.

Alice: You’re right. I’ll try to stop thinking about it.

Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “thrust sth aside”:

• Despite the challenges, she __________ her fears __________ and kept going.
• He __________ the old letters __________ before cleaning the desk.
• It’s not healthy to __________ your problems __________ forever.

FAQ

• Q: Is “thrust sth aside” formal or informal?

  A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

• Q: Can “thrust” be used without “aside”?

  A: Yes, but “thrust” alone usually means to push forcibly, while “thrust aside” implies pushing away or ignoring.
• Q: Can I use “thrust aside” with feelings?

  A: Yes, it is common to say “thrust aside fears” or “thrust aside doubts.”

• Q: Is “thrust sth aside” separable?

  A: Yes, you can place the object between “thrust” and “aside” or after “aside.”
• Q: What level of English is “thrust sth aside” suitable for?

  A: It is best suited for intermediate (B2) learners and above.