PhrasesHub

Push the boat out

    Definitions

      • make a special effort or spend a lot of money
        To go to great lengths or make a big effort, especially in terms of spending money or resources, to make an occasion or event more special or impressive

    Examples of Push the boat out

    • Sarah decided to push the boat out for her daughter's birthday party by renting a yacht and hosting a luxurious seafood feast for her guests.

      The idiom "push the boat out" in this context means to go all-out, to make a grand gesture, to spare no expense. Sarah wanted to go above and beyond for her daughter's special day, so she splurged on a luxurious yacht and a decadent seafood buffet.

    • The marketing campaign was a huge success, and the company decided to push the boat out by offering a massive discount to all their existing customers.

      Here, "push the boat out" refers to taking a big, bold step. The company wanted to celebrate their successful campaign and reward their loyal customers, so they went all-out by offering a major discount to show their appreciation.

    • The charity event was a bit lacklustre last year, so the organizers decided to push the boat out by hiring a celebrity keynote speaker and offering a gourmet dinner to their attendees.

      In this case, "push the boat out" implies doing something extraordinary, something that will make a real splash. The charity organizers were dissatisfied with the lacklustre turnout and lack of enthusiasm from their donors the previous year, so they decided to go above and beyond by inviting a high-profile celebrity and serving a fancy dinner to create a more memorable, exciting event.

    • Jeremy's parents had always been rather frugal, but for his 21st birthday, they decided to push the boat out by throwing a lavish party at a fancy hotel and hiring a live band to play.

      Here, "push the boat out" signifies making a significant departure from the norm. Jeremy's parents were known for their frugality, but for their son's milestone birthday, they wanted to make a grand gesture and throw a spectacular, unforgettable party that would be the envy of all their friends and neighbours.

    • The company decided to push the boat out and host a grand launch event for their new product.

      To use this idiom, 'push the boat out' means to go all out, to do something on a grand scale, to make a significant effort. In this example, the company has decided to put on a major event to launch their new product, rather than a smaller, more low-key launch.

    • My friend suggested we push the boat out and book a luxury spa weekend to celebrate my birthday.

      'Push the boat out' can also be used to mean making an effort to do something enjoyable or indulgent for oneself or others, in this case, to treat oneself to a luxurious spa weekend as a birthday treat.

    • The school is pushing the boat out with its plans for a new sports centre, hoping to attract top-class athletes.

      Here, 'push the boat out' can be used literally as a figure of speech to suggest that the school is going to extremes in its efforts to construct a new sports centre that will be of a very high standard in the hope of attracting professional-level athletes.

    • The team is really pushing the boat out this season, with some impressive results already.

      In this example, 'push the boat out' is being used metaphorically to mean that the team is putting in a significant effort this season and achieving noteworthy results, implying that they might be capable of achieving even more with further effort.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "push the boat out" is used to describe making a special effort or spending a lot of money to make an occasion or event more special. It can be used in a variety of situations, such as planning a party, organizing an event, or even treating oneself to something extravagant. The intention behind using this idiom is to emphasize the extra effort or expense being made.

    In everyday conversation, this idiom is often used to encourage or acknowledge someone who is making a significant effort or spending a lot of money for a particular purpose. It can also be used to describe one's own actions when they are going above and beyond to make something memorable or extraordinary.

    Origin of "Push the boat out"

    The origin of the idiom "push the boat out" is thought to come from the nautical tradition of "pushing out" a boat from the shore into the water. This action required a collective effort and often symbolized a significant event, such as a voyage or celebration. Over time, the phrase evolved to represent the idea of making a special effort or going to great lengths, similar to the collective effort needed to push a boat out to sea. The idiom has since become a common expression in English to convey the notion of making an extra effort or spending a significant amount of money for a special occasion.

    Examples of the idiom can be found in literature and historical texts, as well as in everyday conversation, demonstrating its longevity and widespread usage in the English language.