When push comes to shove

Hello everybody!

Could you please tell me what does this phrase mean:

When push comes to shove?

Does it mean that the time has come to pay for one’s sins?

Thank you in advance.

Hi Sidle Jinks,

The meaning of this expression describes a certain situation when you are forced to act/to do something. Imagine a situation where you can’t make up your mind and you friend asks you what you will do when push comes to shove - what you will do when you eventually have to make a decision. Shove as a verb means push in a rough/rude way.

Alan

Thank you very much, Alan, for your explanation!