PhrasesHub

Press into service

    Definitions

      • to compel someone or something to be used for a specific purpose
        to use something or someone for a particular task or job, often in a forced or urgent manner

      • to recruit or enlist someone for a specific task or duty
        to assign someone to a specific role or responsibility, especially in a situation where there is a need for additional help or resources

    Examples of Press into service

    • Due to the sudden increase in patient numbers, the hospital had to press the retired surgeons into service to help alleviate the workload.

      This is an example of the idiom being used in a sentence to express that people who are no longer actively working are being asked to help in a situation where they are needed urgently. The term "press into service" implies that the retired surgeons are being conscripted to return to work against their usual retired state to help in times of need.

    • The marketing team pressed the CEO's old business contacts into service to promote the new product.

      In this example, the marketing team has called upon the CEO's previous business connections to aid in marketing the new product. The implication is that these former contacts still have a significant network of influence, and their help has led to an improvement in sales figures.

    • The municipality pressed abandoned stores into service as temporary shelter for the homeless during the winter months.

      In this use, the municipality is asking for the use of abandoned stores in a temporary capacity as shelters for the homeless during the winter. This is done when the current shelters' capacity becomes overwhelmed or is unavailable during this period, making it necessary to use temporary alternatives.

    • The government presses emergency services into service during times of natural disasters to help with relief efforts.

      This example denotes the government's ability to call for the deployment of emergency services during natural disasters. The term "presses into service" relates to the emergency services' prompt mobilization and readiness to provide services that are required in times of crisis.

    • In order to complete the project on time, we had to press the new intern into service.

      When we didn't have enough staff to finish the project within the deadline, we asked the new intern to help us out. We utilized her skills and knowledge to contribute to the project, effectively "pressing" her into service to aid in its completion.

    • Due to a staff shortage, the hotel manager had to press the front desk clerk into service as a waiter during the busy dinner shift.

      During peak hours, the hotel's restaurant was understaffed, so the front desk clerk was asked to temporarily switch roles and assist in serving the guests. This is an example of "pressing" someone into service, as they were temporarily reassigned to a different duty due to a lack of available personnel.

    • The police had to press the retired detective into service to help with the investigation of the high-profile case.

      The police force was struggling to make progress on the complex case, so they turned to the retired detective for his expertise. They "pressed" him into service, as he was asked to temporarily rejoin the force to assist in solving the crime.

    • Due to a technical failure, the pilot had to press the flight attendant into service to help navigate the plane.

      When the navigation system failed during a long-haul flight, the pilot had to rely on the flight attendant's knowledge of geography to help guide the plane to its destination. In this situation, the flight attendant was "pressed" into service as she was asked to temporarily take on a role outside of her usual duties.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "press into service" can be used to describe both the act of compelling something to be used for a specific purpose and the act of recruiting or enlisting someone for a specific task or duty.

    It is often used in situations where there is a need for urgent action or additional resources, and can be used to convey a sense of urgency or necessity.

    The idiom can be used in a variety of contexts, from military operations to everyday tasks, and is often used to emphasize the need for quick action or the use of all available resources.

    Origin of "Press into service"

    The origin of the idiom "press into service" can be traced back to its literal meaning, which refers to the act of compelling or forcing something or someone to be used for a specific purpose. The word "press" in this context can be interpreted as applying pressure or force to make something happen.

    The idiom is often associated with military operations, where resources and personnel may need to be quickly and forcibly enlisted for specific tasks or duties. This origin emphasizes the sense of urgency and necessity that is often conveyed when using the idiom.

    Overall, the idiom "press into service" has its roots in the idea of using all available resources and personnel to accomplish a specific task or duty, especially in situations where there is a need for urgent action.