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Explaining "You cannot push a rope"
Reviewed and edited by 
Anwar Kareem 08/05/2025, 23:08
Anwar Kareem 08/05/2025, 23:08English.me team member
What does it mean?
The phrase means that you cannot force something or someone to go in a particular direction or achieve certain results if they are not willing or able to cooperate. It highlights the futility of trying to achieve an outcome using the wrong method.
Tone
Pragmatic and mildly humorous
Origin
The phrase became popular around the mid-20th century in business and management contexts, likely originating from observations about the physical impossibility of pushing a rope; it was even used in testimony before the U.S. Senate in the 1930s.
Examples of usage
- Trying to implement major changes without employee support is like trying to push a rope.
- He realized he was just pushing a rope trying to get his toddler to eat vegetables.
- If the team isn't motivated, no amount of pressure from the manager can improve productivity; you can't push a rope.
Phrases
