bear down

listen to the pronunciation of bear down
English - English
To intensify one's efforts

It's 9:41, 58 degrees, and I'm flunking out. Time to bear down.

To approach another vessel from windward
When giving birth, to push
To press down on someone
1. To advance in a threatening manner2. To apply maximum effort and concentration

1. The ship bore down on our canoe. 2. If you really bear down, you will finish the task.

If someone or something bears down on you, they move quickly towards you in a threatening way. A group of half a dozen men entered the pub and bore down on the bar = advance
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle; "he saw Jess charging at him with a pitchfork"
contract the abdominal muscles during childbirth to ease delivery
exert a force with a heavy weight; "The snow bore down on the roof"
pay special attention to; "The lectures bore down on the political background"
exert full strength; "The pitcher bore down"
move forward in a threatening manner (e.g., "The cruise ship bore down on our canoe"); use utmost effort and concentration (e.g., "If you really bear down, you will success"); contract the muscles of the abdomen during childbirth in order to facilitate the delivery
To bear down on something means to push or press downwards with steady pressure. The roof support structure had collapsed and the entire weight was bearing down on the ceiling
exert a force or cause a strain upon; "This tax bears down on the lower middle class"
bear down on
To approach someone in a very determined way

We were moving slowly up the river as the creature bore down upon us with distended jaws. The long neck was far outstretched, and the four flippers with which it swam were working with powerful strokes, carrying it forward at a rapid pace.

bear down on
advance upon, assail against; get to work on, make an exerted effort
bear down on
exert a force with a heavy weight; "The snow bore down on the roof"
bear down on
sail towards another vessel, of a ship
bear down
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