Bear Down (Verb)
Meaning 1
Pay special attention to; "The lectures bore down on the political background".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The documentary bore down on the harsh realities of climate change.
- She bore down on the significance of teamwork in achieving success.
- The book bore down on the struggles of the immigrant community.
- His speech bore down on the need for immediate action to prevent disaster.
- The investigators bore down on the motives behind the suspect's actions.
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Exert full strength; "The pitcher bore down".
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- The sprinter bore down on the finish line, her muscles straining with exhaustion.
- To lift the heavy weight, he had to bear down and use all his might.
- The quarterback bore down on his target, throwing the ball with precision.
- The rowers bore down on their oars, propelling the boat across the finish line.
- The fighter bore down on her opponent, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks.
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
To make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle; "he saw Jess charging at him with a pitchfork".
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- The shield wall began to bear down on the opponent's front line, pushing them back with their combined force.
- As the bandits emerged from the forest, the knights bear down on them with their lances at the ready.
- The enemy infantry attempted to bear down on the fortified positions, but they were met with a hail of gunfire.
- With a fierce cry, the cavalry unit prepared to bear down on the enemy's exposed flank.
- As the enemy flagship sailed into view, the admiral gave the order to bear down on it with all guns blazing.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 4
Contract the abdominal muscles during childbirth to ease delivery.
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- With each contraction, the nurse instructed the mother to bear down and push the baby out.
- During the last stages of labor, the mother was told to bear down and try to push one more time.
- The doctor suggested that the mother bear down harder to help move the baby through the birth canal.
- As the baby started to crown, the mother was advised to bear down and push with all her might.
- The midwife encouraged the woman to take a deep breath and bear down to help ease the delivery process.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 5
Exert a force with a heavy weight; "The snow bore down on the roof".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The massive boulder bore down on the valley, threatening to crush everything in its path.
- Heavy clouds bore down on the city, signaling an impending storm.
- The weight of the furniture bore down on the moving truck's suspension.
- The pressure of the deep water bore down on the submarine's hull.
- The snow bore down on the roof, causing it to sag under the weight.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 6
Exert a force or cause a strain upon; "This tax bears down on the lower middle class".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The new policy bears down on small businesses and start-ups, making it difficult for them to thrive.
- The financial strain bears down on families living below the poverty line, making every day a challenge.
- Rising inflation bears down on consumers, causing them to make tough choices about how to allocate their budgets.
- The tax increases bear down on the middle class, forcing many to reconsider their spending habits.
- High-interest rates bear down on borrowers, making it harder for them to pay off their debts.