press gang: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowHistorical; informal when used figuratively.
Quick answer
What does “press gang” mean?
A group of men, historically employed by the British navy, who forcibly recruited men into military or naval service.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group of men, historically employed by the British navy, who forcibly recruited men into military or naval service.
To coerce or force someone into doing something or joining a group, often against their will.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originates from British naval history, so it is more commonly encountered in British English contexts. In American English, it is primarily used in historical discussions or as a figurative expression.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a negative connotation of exploitation and lack of consent. In British English, it has a more specific historical resonance.
Frequency
More frequent in British English, though overall usage is low.
Grammar
How to Use “press gang” in a Sentence
press gang someone into somethingpress gang someone into doing somethingbe press-ganged into + gerundVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “press gang” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They tried to press gang every able-bodied man in the port town.
- I feel like I've been press-ganged into organising the party.
American English
- The club press-ganged new members by making sign-up compulsory.
- He was press-ganged into serving on the committee.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may appear metaphorically: 'The manager tried to press gang the team into working the weekend.'
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or literary studies discussing forced labour or conscription.
Everyday
Figurative use: 'I was press-ganged into helping with the school fair.'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts outside of historical military/naval terminology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “press gang”
- Using it as two separate words in verb form (incorrect: 'They press gang him'; correct: 'They press-gang him' or 'They press gang him' is ambiguous; hyphenation is often used for the verb).
- Using it to refer to any kind of persuasion, missing the strong element of coercion.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the literal practice is historical and obsolete. The term is now used only figuratively.
'Conscript' is a broader, more neutral term for compulsory enlistment by a government. 'Press gang' specifically refers to the historical, often violent, method of seizing individuals by force, typically for naval service.
It is often hyphenated ('press-gang'), especially in past participle forms (e.g., 'press-ganged'), to clarify it functions as a single verb.
Rarely. Its historical and figurative uses almost always carry a negative connotation of coercion and injustice.
A group of men, historically employed by the British navy, who forcibly recruited men into military or naval service.
Press gang is usually historical; informal when used figuratively. in register.
Press gang: in British English it is pronounced /ˈprɛs ɡaŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈprɛs ɡæŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “press-ganged into it”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GANG of men who PRESS (force) others into service.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORCING IS PRESSING / RECRUITMENT IS CAPTURE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary historical meaning of 'press gang'?