to  push one's buttons
<abbr style="text-decoration: underline;" title="push / press" > push</abbr>
pʊʃ
poosh
<i>one's</i>
prɛs
pres
buttons
wʌnz
vanz

Definition & Meaning of "push one's buttons"in English

to push one's buttons
01

to do something that annoys or irritates someone 

to [push|press] {one's} buttons definition and meaning
Disapproving
Idiom
Informal

What is the origin of the idiom "push one's buttons" and when to use it?

The origin of the phrase "push one's buttons" is rooted in the concept of control panels or electronic devices with buttons or switches that activate specific functions. It is commonly employed in conversations or relationships to illustrate instances where someone knows how to provoke or manipulate another person's emotions, often for their own benefit or amusement. This expression can be used to describe heated arguments, power struggles, or situations where individuals intentionally push each other's emotional boundaries, often resulting in increased tension, conflict, or discomfort.

Examples
He knows exactly how to push my buttons. 
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