Definition of push over

The origin of the expression "push over" can be traced back to the early 19th century in British slang, where it was originally used to describe a person who is easily convinced or manipulated into doing something. The term "push" in this context has multiple meanings, including "force," "pave the way," or "coax." One possibility for the origin of the expression comes from the mechanics of toppling an object. To "push over" a heavy object, one could exert enough force to make it fall. In the case of a person, however, the force required to convince them to do something is less physical and more psychological. Another theory suggests that "push over" might have originated from the British games of skittles or bowls. In skittles, the aim is to knock over nine skittles with a wooden ball by pushing it with force. The expression "push over" would then describe the act of knocking over the skittles with a powerful push. In any event, "push over" has become a popular colloquial term in various English-speaking countries, conveying the sense of someone who is easily influenced or persuaded, often with a connotation of weakness or gullibility.