bear down

To move toward someone or something quickly and with determination.

• The bull bore down on us.
• A storm is bearing down on the coast.
• She saw two guards bearing down on her.

How to use it: bear down on someone/something (A large truck was bearing down on our car.)

Similar words: advance on, charge at, approach

Opposites: retreat

Common phrases: bear down on someone, bear down on something

To work harder and concentrate more strongly on what you need to do.

• It is time to bear down.
• She bore down and finished the report before lunch.
• If we bear down now, we can still win the game.

How to use it: bear down on something (We need to bear down on this assignment and finish it tonight.)

Similar words: try harder, buckle down, concentrate

Opposites: relax

Common phrases: bear down harder, bear down and study

To push hard with the muscles in your lower body, especially when giving birth or passing solid waste.

• The midwife told her to bear down.
• She bore down with each strong contraction.
• Try not to bear down too hard when passing a stool.

Similar words: push, strain

Opposites: relax

Common phrases: bear down gently, bear down and push

To carry something downward or toward a lower place.

• They bore the box down the steps.
• Two workers bore the injured man down the hill.
• She bore a basket of food down to the valley.

How to use it: bear something down (They bore the heavy chest down the stairs.)

Similar words: carry down

Opposites: carry up

Common phrases: bear something down, bear down supplies

To turn a boat away from the wind or approach another boat from the side facing the wind.

• The captain ordered us to bear down.
• Our yacht bore down towards the sheltered bay.
• The ship bore down upon us from windward.

How to use it: bear down upon a vessel (The larger ship bore down upon the fishing boat from windward.)

Similar words: bear away, fall off

Opposites: head up

Common phrases: bear down upon something, bear down towards something

To force someone to the ground or defeat them through greater strength.

• The wrestler bore his opponent down.
• Their attackers bore down all resistance.
• He tried to bear her down, but she escaped his grip.

How to use it: bear someone/something down (The stronger wrestler bore his opponent down.)

Similar words: overpower, overcome, defeat

Common phrases: bear someone down, bear down resistance