Pushing at an open door: Learn what the means through example!

What does “Pushing at an open door” mean?

"Pushing at an open door" means making progress easily because everyone agrees with you.

What context can I use the in?

Example

With the overwhelming support from the team, the project is like pushing at an open door.

Example

The proposal was met with enthusiasm by the board, so it felt like pushing at an open door to get it approved.

Example

When it comes to implementing new safety measures, the company found it was pushing at an open door as everyone was already on board

Is “Pushing at an open door” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Pushing at an open door” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Pushing at an open door” effectively in context?

You can use "Pushing at an open door" to describe a situation where you are making progress easily because everyone agrees with you. It implies that there are no obstacles or resistance in your path. For example, if you are proposing a new idea at work and everyone is supportive and enthusiastic about it, you might say, 'With the overwhelming support from the team, the project is like pushing at an open door.'

• 1. Work

  The proposal was met with enthusiasm by the board, so it felt like pushing at an open door to get it approved.

• 2. Teamwork

  With everyone on board, implementing the new safety measures was like pushing at an open door.

• 3. Negotiation

  The client agreed to all our terms without any resistance, so it was like pushing at an open door to finalize the deal.

Similar phrases to “Pushing at an open door”:

A walk in the park

An easy or effortless task

Example

With their experience, the team found the project to be a walk in the park.

Smooth sailing

Progressing easily without any obstacles

Example

Once the initial challenges were overcome, the project was smooth sailing.

Piece of cake

An extremely easy task

Example

For someone with his skills, fixing the computer was a piece of cake.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Pushing at an open door” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Pushing at an open door" is unknown.

Is “Pushing at an open door” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Pushing at an open door" is a common expression in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe situations where progress is easy and smooth due to unanimous agreement or support.

What tone does “Pushing at an open door” have?

"Pushing at an open door" conveys a tone of ease and success. It suggests that the task or goal at hand is being accomplished effortlessly because there are no barriers or opposition.

Can “Pushing at an open door” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "pushing at an open door" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that describes a situation where progress is made easily due to unanimous agreement. You can use it in conversations with friends, colleagues, or in more formal contexts such as presentations or business meetings.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The overwhelming support from the team made the project feel like pushing at an open door.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'It's like "pushing at an open door"!' to imply that something is progressing smoothly.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• making progress effortlessly
• meeting no resistance
• having unanimous agreement
• advancing smoothly

Antonyms

• facing obstacles
• meeting resistance
• encountering opposition
• struggling to make progress