Meaning
To celebrate or spend much more generously than usual, laying on a lavish meal, party, round of drinks, or treat; also of doing something in notable style. Mainly British and nearly always said of treats and celebrations rather than routine extravagance. Warm, cheerful, and informal; about generosity on special occasions rather than reckless spending. Regional use: British English.
Origin
The earliest use located by researchers is in the West London Observer of 16 April 1915, at a builder's dinner where a man was told by his family to be lavish, and Thomas Burke's Limehouse Nights (1916) ties the phrase to standing someone a drink. Fraser and Gibbons' Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases (1925) defines it as 'to stand treat', though a detailed study argues it was probably Army slang rather than naval, since that dictionary flags its Navy items separately; John Irving's Royal Navalese (1946) later records it as Royal Navy slang for paying for a round of drinks. The popular explanation - generosity in helping push a beached boat into the water - is plausible but undocumented, and the early drinking citations suggest 'boat' may simply have been slang for a glass.
Research Sources
References used to check this entry’s meaning, history, or documented forms.
Variants
- push out the boat
- push the boat out for someone
- really push the boat out
Usage Examples
- For their golden wedding anniversary they pushed the boat out and hired a string quartet.
- We usually keep Christmas low-key, but this year we are pushing the boat out.
- Push the boat out and get the good champagne; she only retires once.