bear down

bear down

1. To carry or transport someone or something down along something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "bear" and "down." The current bore us down the river toward the ocean. The courier bore the parcel down the road as quickly as he could.
2. To push downward with one's abdomen, as when giving birth or passing stool. At some point you're going to feel an intense urge to bear down, which means the baby is on her way.
3. To put forth one's maximum effort or apply one's maximum concentration (toward action or activity). I know you've been having trouble with your studies, but it's time to bear down and make sure you pass.
4. Of a boat, to approach from an upwind direction. The other boat began bearing down at an incredible speed.
See also: bear, down
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • clunk
  • clunk down
  • champ down on (someone or something)
  • clean down
  • ask down
  • brush down
  • button down
  • bolt down
  • cast down
  • call down
References in periodicals archive
Then, when the fetal head descends past the ischial spines (+ 1 station), the mother feels the sudden strong urge to bear down. This is Ferguson's reflex, and it typically is accompanied by a loud maternal groan.
Delayed pushing: Less fatigue, no increase in fetal trauma. (In Second-Stage Labor)
Then, when the fetal head descends past the ischial spines (+1 station), the mother feels the sudden strong urge to bear down. This is Ferguson's reflex, and it typically is accompanied by a loud maternal groan.
Delayed pushing doesn't increase fetal trauma. (Second-Stage Labor)
"Any short measure is a clear public scandal and I assure my Honourable Friend that we will seek to bear down as hard as we can, " he said.
MP calls for full measures
You hear the tease of Ali's gloves bringing the bear down, busting the veil with Elijah's hallelujah, Allah.
Michael Holley, Bruthaman Boston Globe sports writer, covers the Celtics - in the '96-'97 season - loss to loss
At Chandler High School, we really bear down on defense.
No-frill infield defense
He suggests it has to do with how the Hawaiian volcanoes bear down upon the plate beneath them.
Second hand Hawaiian volcanoes
He said: "As we see public attitudes changing we will be able to bear down on it more successfully.
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