背中を押す Phrase Meaning


I encounter the phrase 「背中を押す」 in many Japanese songs,

and I'm having the feeling that it is a phrase not having the obvious meaning
of "to push one's back".

What's the meaning of this phrase?

Thank you.




背中を押す means "encourage someone to do something." It's a figurative expression
meaning "to motivate someone to go ahead by pushing his / her back."

For example:

> アメリカに留学しようかどうか迷っていたが、その時母親が背中を押してくれた  
>  I was hesitating to study in the United States, but my mom encouraged me to
> do so at that time.
>
> 我々は新製品を[市場化]{しじょうか}できるかどうか決めかねていたが、部長が背中を押してくれた  
>  We weren't so confident of the marketability of the new product, but the
> Department manager strongly supported us to launch the product.

* * *

Sidenote:

"背中を押す" means "to encourage" and has a positive meaning. But "肩を[叩]{たた}く"
means "give a warning before handing over a pink-slip" or "persuade an
employee to resign."

"昨日ボスから肩たたきにあった" means "I was told to consider myself resignation (or early
retirement) by my boss yesterday." Mind that "back" and "shoulder" and "push"
and "tap" make a great difference for you.

