Rush

/rʌʃ/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
4 meanings3 idioms/phrases5 questions

Definitions

4 meanings
1

To move or do something very quickly.

/rʌʃ/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To move or act with great haste.

She rushed to the hospital when she got the news.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're late for school! To rush means to go super fast, like you're trying to beat the clock. You might rush to get your shoes on or rush to finish your homework before dinner.

👶 For kids: To go really, really fast!

More Examples

2

Don't rush your meal; enjoy the flavors.

3

We had to rush to catch the flight.

How It's Used

Everyday Conversation

"I need to rush to catch the train."

Business

"We rushed to finish the project before the deadline."

Sports

"The running back rushed for a touchdown."

2

A sudden movement or flow of something, often people or things.

/rʌʃ/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A sudden rapid movement or flow.

The announcement caused a rush of applications.

💡 Simply: Think of a big wave of people or things all moving quickly at once. Like, when the doors open at a sale, there's a rush of people trying to get inside. Or, imagine a wave of fans coming onto a soccer pitch at a stadium.

👶 For kids: When a lot of people or things move really fast together!

More Examples

2

There was a sudden rush of wind.

3

The store experienced a Christmas rush.

How It's Used

News

"There was a rush of people trying to escape the building."

Marketing

"The store experienced a rush of customers during the sale."

Sports

"The linebacker made a sudden rush towards the quarterback."

Tip:Picture a river suddenly bursting its banks: RUSH!
3

A period of intense activity, often with time constraints.

/rʌʃ/

nounneutralmedium
General

A period of intense activity.

The company is in a rush to complete the project.

💡 Simply: Imagine a super-busy time where you have a lot to do in a short period, like the last few hours before a big test or the Christmas shopping season! That's a rush.

👶 For kids: A busy time when you have to do a lot of things fast!

More Examples

2

The hospital experienced a rush of admissions due to the flu outbreak.

3

We're in a rush this week to launch our new product.

How It's Used

Business

"The deadline meant a rush of work for everyone."

Healthcare

"The emergency room was experiencing a rush of patients."

Tip:Think of a busy office during tax season: RUSH!
4

To move forward aggressively or attack suddenly.

/rʌʃ/

verbneutralmedium
General

To attack suddenly or to charge.

The police rushed the suspect.

💡 Simply: Imagine a football team rushing the quarterback to try to stop them, or a dog running to greet you quickly. This is what rush also means.

👶 For kids: To run fast to try and catch something!

More Examples

2

The troops rushed the enemy's position.

3

The offensive line will rush the opposing team's defense.

How It's Used

Sports

"The football team rushed the quarterback."

Military

"The soldiers rushed the enemy's position."

Tip:Imagine a bull charging: RUSH!

Idioms & expressions

rush hour

The time of day when there is heavy traffic and a large number of people commuting.

"I hate driving during rush hour."

in a rush

In a hurry; quickly.

"I'm in a rush, so I can't stay and chat."

to be rushed off your feet

To be extremely busy and have a lot of things to do.

"The staff at the hotel were rushed off their feet during the busy holiday season."

From Middle English ruschen, from Old French ruser ('to push, repel, or move violently'), of Germanic origin, akin to Old Norse rykkja ('to pull, tear').

The word 'rush' has been used since the 14th century, initially to describe a violent or impetuous movement.

Memory tip

Imagine a red fire truck: RUSH!

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to push, repel, or move violently"

rush hourrush ofrush intorush outrush through

Common misspellings

ruchrusch

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written