To push on means to keep going despite difficulty, tiredness, or obstacles. When you've been studying for an hour and still have more homework, but you push on anyway, you're choosing to continue working even though you'd rather stop. When hikers are tired halfway up a mountain trail, they push on to reach the summit.

The phrase captures that feeling of effort and determination. When you push on, you're applying force against something that's resisting you, whether that's your own exhaustion, a difficult problem, or a challenging situation. A marathon runner might push on through the pain in the final miles. A scientist might push on with experiments even after many failures.

Pushing on requires a clear goal that matters enough to keep you moving forward. It's not about ignoring warning signs or being reckless. It's about recognizing that the path to anything worthwhile includes moments when stopping would be easier, but continuing will get you where you want to go.