force the issue

force the issue

To compel a decision, discussion, or confrontation regarding a particular issue or matter at hand. For months my boss has been dragging his feet about increasing my pay, so tomorrow I'm finally going to force the issue with him.
See also: force, issue
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

force the issue

compel the making of an immediate decision.
See also: force, issue
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˈforce the issue

do something to make people take action quickly: The management certainly seemed sympathetic to our concerns, but I think it would be best to wait a while and not try to force the issue just yet.
See also: force, issue
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • compel
  • compel (someone) to (do something)
  • compel to do
  • lead (one) to (do something)
  • lead one to
  • lead to
  • lead to do
  • be dragging (one's) feet
  • be dragging your feet
  • haul down
References in periodicals archive
He is a shrewd enough negotiator to hold out for the best price, no matter how moodily Berahino tries to force the issue and no matter how good opposite number Daniel Levy is at playing hardball.
He said: "Darron has to force the issue by playing so well that when he does get the chance, the manager keeps him in."
I do not like to force the issue. I prefer to talk."
JOLEON Lescott will have to force the issue if he wants to join Manchester City.
With neither side able to break the deadlock until half-time it was left to Wirral to force the issue after the restart.
Four months later we tried to force the issue and were told we'd get a reply within 10 days.
But in order for our government to move, there must be a strong consensus that violence against LGBT people anywhere is intolerable--and that will happen only when we force the issue. If we don't stick up for our brothers and sisters, who will?
So it will be interesting to see if Timmy Murphy decides to force the issue on her chasing debut or whether he will try to give her one of his usual hold-up rides.
Even before you get to the labor stage, there can be growth discrepancies or select problems with one twin that force the issue on delivery.
But 29-year-old Delaney is still waiting in vain for new contract talks, while his efforts to force the issue by putting in a transfer request have met with silence.
Warnock is ready to force the issue by talking to Pompey once they make an official approach in the next 48 hours, tempting him with pounds 800,000 a season in a three-year deal.
Yet some traditionalist Catholics and bishops are determined to force the issue. In New Jersey, Archbishop John J.
The US government has said that it would not force the issue of armed sky marshals on transatlantic flights if European countries rejected such a plan.
This is about pushing the agenda, anything they can do to force the issue. Marriage, like religion, is an anathema to the homosexual movement because it is contradictory to everything they do and stand for.
Derby boss John Gregory and his players have yet to receive their monthly salaries and Higginbotham is trying to force the issue.