verb
rausschieben
push back
Definition & meaning
rausschieben is a colloquial, separable German verb meaning to push out, to move something outward, or, figuratively, to postpone or put something off.
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To push or slide something out
- It describes physically moving something from inside to outside.
- Example: Sie schiebt den Stuhl raus. — “She pushes the chair out.”
-
To postpone or delay something
- Especially used for appointments, deadlines, or tasks that are moved to a later time.
- Example: Wir müssen den Termin rausschieben. — “We have to postpone the appointment.”
- This use is informal; the more neutral verb is verschieben.
-
To push someone out or remove someone
- It can describe forcing or maneuvering someone out of a place, group, or situation.
- Example: Er wurde langsam aus dem Unternehmen rausgeschoben. — “He was gradually pushed out of the company.”
Grammar & Word origin
rausschieben is a separable verb: raus- + schieben.
- raus- is the colloquial short form of heraus- (“out”).
- schieben means “to push” or “to slide.”
- Present tense: Ich schiebe den Termin raus. — “I postpone the appointment.”
- Infinitive with zu: den Termin rauszuschieben
- Past participle: rausgeschoben
- Past tense forms of schieben: schob, hat geschoben
Because it is separable, the prefix moves to the end of the clause in the present tense: Sie schiebt den Termin raus.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- hinausschieben — to push something outward or postpone it; more standard and less colloquial than rausschieben.
- verschieben — to postpone or reschedule something; the most neutral and common choice for appointments and deadlines.
- hinausdrängen — to force someone out, often figuratively; stronger and more intentional than rausschieben.
- hinausbefördern — to eject or remove someone; much more forceful and sometimes humorous or ironic.
Antonyms
- hereinschieben — to push something inward or into a place; the physical opposite.
- vorziehen — to move an event to an earlier time; the temporal opposite when rausschieben means “postpone.”
- hereinholen — to bring someone or something inside; an opposite of physically pushing something out.
Common phrases & collocations
- einen Termin rausschieben — to postpone an appointment
- eine Frist rausschieben — to extend or delay a deadline
- etwas nach hinten rausschieben — to move something further back in time
- jemanden aus einer Position rausschieben — to push someone out of a position
- etwas aus dem Weg rausschieben — to push something out of the way
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Examples
Wir müssen die Entscheidung noch etwas rausschieben.verb
We need to push back the decision a little longer.
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