put back/forward push back/forward (schedule/event etc.) (2025)

Hi,
I was reading the American Heritage dictionary of Phrasal Verbs (yes, I do read a dictionary!) and these entries confused me.
(I only put the relevant entries and one example sentence each.)

put back
3. To reschedule something to an earlier time: They put the meeting back from 3:00 to noon.
4. To cause someone to something to be delayed: The lack of funds put back the project a few months.

put forward
4. To change the scheduled time of some event to an earlier time: They put the meeting forward from 4:00 to 2:30.
5: To postpone some event: We put the surprise party forward by an hour or so everyone could attend.

push back
2. To delay something until a future time; postpone something: We should push back the deadline so that we have more time to work on the project.

push forward
3. To change the scheduled time of some event to an earlier time: They pushed the meeting forward from 3:00 to 1:30.

I found some threads regarding "put back" (this for example) but most of the discussions were about whether "put back" is a natural expression when meaning postponing something. It seems like it is not that common in AE, but understandable (the meaning in "4"). I checked some dictionaries online and it seems like it means postponing something especially in BE(e.g. this and this) . Now, I am confused about usage in "3" here. It doesn't make much sense unless "put back" can be used in both directions in time. The entries 4 and 5 for "put forward" seem to be contradicting to each other as well.

Also, according to some members from this thread, "push forward" cannot be used to mean delay and "push back" is correct in this usage. This seems to agree with this dictionary that has no entry for delaying something in "push forward." I would like to make sure this understanding is right. (edit: I deleted some sentences here. I was confused about something)

(edit and add) The reason I would like some clearing up about "push forward" here is some members in some threads mentioned they would use "push forward" to mean delay/postpone something.

So...I am at a loss to figure out what each means or can mean exactly...I know I could have replied to an existing thread but they discusses slightly different things each and I decided to make my own thread. I am very confused now but hope it's all cleared up by the end of this thread!

Thank you.

Hello Brighthope,

It seems to me that you've put your finger on an inconsistency in the use of these verbs.

The difference between the verbs put and push might be partly responsible for this, but it seems that we are living with differences in the way people use these expressions.

I'm used to talking of such meetings being brought forward (coming sooner) or put back (coming later), but if dates and times are given, all should be clear.

Thomas Tompion said:

The difference between the verbs put and push might be partly responsible for this, but it seems that we are living with differences in the way people use these expressions.

I'm used to talking of such meetings being brought forward (coming sooner) or put back (coming later), but if dates and times are given, all should be clear.

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See Also

FR/EN: guillemets (« ») / quotation marks (“ ”) - usage & punctuation

Thank you for your reply Thomas. Yes, it seems that you are right by saying we are living with differences in the way people use these expressions...
Sure, the meaning in each sentence is clear as long as dates and times are given, as you mentioned. However, it is kind of bothersome to me when the meaning of the (phrasal) verb depends on the context or additional information...although I do know meanings in language are not always clear cut.

brighthope said:

Thank you for your reply Thomas. Yes, it seems that you are right by saying we are living with differences in the way people use these expressions...
Sure, the meaning in each sentence is clear as long as dates and times are given, as you mentioned. However, it is kind of bothersome to me when the meaning of the (phrasal) verb depends on the context or additional information...although I do know meanings in language are not always clear cut.

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There are other expressions in English which different people take in 100% opposite ways.

I won't mention them because you'd find them bothersome. We just have to live with these things.

Thomas Tompion said:

... I'm used to talking of such meetings being brought forward (coming sooner) or put back (coming later)...

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brighthope said:

...it is kind of bothersome to me when the meaning of the (phrasal) verb depends on the context or additional information...

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I would say it's bothersome when people don't know how to use their native language correctly!

brighthope, please let me add one more thread just to enrich your confusion (which I sadly share on this subject)
Putting back and putting forward (event, flight, meeting...)

I think it also depends on region (dialect). Working on the suburbs of Boston and San Francisco, I often heard "push back" (delay) used about deadlines, meetings and other scheduled things.

I rarely heard "push forward" (make earlier). I never heard "put back" or "put forward" with those meanings.

Of course there are other meanings for "push forward", "put back" and "put forward". But context makes that clear.

Thank you everyone
Yeah....I am aware that there are many differences within English especially regionally. One of the major differences is of course the one between BrE and AmE. I have personally encountered some situations where native speakers from different parts of the world didn't agree with each other on the usages of words, expressions etc. and had an argument (not just on this forum!). I have heard some jokes coming from these differences as well. And I do also understand the importance of context.

That being said...what I meant when I used the word "bothersome" was it is bothersome especially when one expression (or word) means not only something totally different, but completely opposite depending on the context or further information. Someone says "The meeting is put forward." and it can mean both it will start earlier and it will start later? Really? Of course you can ask and clarify, but...

As dojibear mentioned, Japanese may be worse when it comes to homonyms, but they usually have different meanings and one word or expression rarely means something completely opposi....OK, I take it back. I found ones that mean opposite. There are some, maybe many. Sorry Japanese learners

brighthope said:

when one expression (or word) means not only something totally different, but completely opposite depending on the context or further information.

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Opposite meanings? Very frustrating! When I notice those, I try to avoid using them. I recently saw a discussion of "irregardless" and "regardless", which sound like opposites but have the same meaning. Similarly "inflammable" means "flammable".

dojibear said:

Opposite meanings? Very frustrating! When I notice those, I try to avoid using them. I recently saw a discussion of "irregardless" and "regardless", which sound like opposites but have the same meaning. Similarly "inflammable" means "flammable".

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Yes, these words do "bother" me too!
For me, "valuable" and "invaluable" first come to mind but I guess we digress.

Thank you again for your help.

Valuable and invaluable are actually not the same, unlike flammable and inflammable.

As to these time phrases, they are fraught with the danger of misunderstanding, based on different uses by different people in different areas. That's why you should carefully choose your words and use actual times whenever possible.

The meeting has been rescheduled and will now start one hour earlier, at 3pm.

Forget push back, pull forward, slide sideways, whatever. Be more specific.

kentix said:

Valuable and invaluable are actually not the same, unlike flammable and inflammable.

As to these time phrases, they are fraught with the danger of misunderstanding, based on different uses by different people in different areas. That's why you should carefully choose your words and use actual times whenever possible.

The meeting has been rescheduled and will now start one hour earlier, at 3pm.

Forget push back, pull forward, slide sideways, whatever. Be more specific.

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At the risk of going a bit off topic, yes, valuable and invaluable are not the same. I understand invaluable means more like priceless. So, invaluable> valuable in value. Valuable/invaluable
What I wanted to mean was "looks opposite, but not really" but it was not the best example to choose.

Yes, I agree that it is better to be specific and use "reschedule," and yes, I agree with you that I can forget about "put back" etc. when it comes to my own choice of words - but people do use them without clarification and this thread is my attempt at understanding them.

Thank you again everyone.
Your replies are invaluable