Pushed the boat out? (8)
I believe the answer is:
launched
'pushed' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with social activities as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'boat out?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'boat' could be 'launch' (launch is a kind of boat) and 'launch' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for launched that I've seen before include "Sent into space" , "Initiated" , "Propelled" , "Sent on course as uncle had" , "Set a ship in motion" .)