throw down the gauntlet

Idioms and Phrases

Declare or issue a challenge, as in The senator threw down the gauntlet on the abortion issue . This expression alludes to the medieval practice of a knight throwing down his gauntlet, or metal glove, as a challenge to combat. Its figurative use dates from the second half of the 1700s, as does the less frequently heard take up the gauntlet , for accepting a challenge.

Related Words

• cross swords