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bear down

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bear down (on someone or something)

to press down on someone or something. Bear down on the pen. You have to make a lot of copies. Don't bear down too hard or you'll break it.

See also: bear, down

bear down (on somebody/something)

1. to use all your effort to do something Our students will have to bear down if they want to pass their exams.

2. to push or press on something When washing your car, try not to bear down too hard or you'll take off the paint.

3. to move toward someone or something in a threatening way Another storm is bearing down on northern California. The car gathered speed and bore down on him, so he jumped into the ditch.

See also: bear, down

bear down

1. Press or weigh down on someone or something. For example, This pen doesn't write unless you bear down hard on it. [Late 1600s]

2. Try hard, intensify one's efforts, as in If you'll just bear down, you'll pass the test.

3. Move forward in a pressing or threatening way, as in The ferry bore down on our little skiff. This usage was originally nautical. [Early 1700s]

See also: bear, down

bear down

v.

1. To press or push down heavily on someone or something: To knead this dough you have to bear down on it with both hands. I grabbed the corners of the blanket and bore down hard to stop the wind from blowing it away.

2. To apply maximum effort and concentration: Now that the games are over, I can really bear down on my studies. To finish this job you'll need to bear down and work very hard.

3. To advance upon someone or something in a threatening manner: As soon as I had control of the soccer ball, I saw the tackle bearing down on me. The storm bore down and ravaged the island.

See also: bear, down