throw down the gauntlet

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

Confronting an authoritarian strongman about his war crimes, Mon Mothma’s address to the Galactic Senate sees the future leader of the Rebel Alliance throw down the gauntlet against Emperor Palpatine.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2025

Food Lifeline’s CEO, Linda Nageotte, says they didn’t move to a livable wage for the praise or to throw down the gauntlet for other nonprofits working in social and human services.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2022

Richard Hunter, head of markets at interactive investor, says Tesco’s move “may also throw down the gauntlet to some of its blue chip rivals, resulting in some other companies potentially following suit.”

From The Guardian • Dec. 2, 2020

In a new study, published today in the journal Science Advances, scientists decided to really throw down the gauntlet.

From The Verge • Feb. 13, 2019

I went to that ball to throw down the gauntlet of my hate before Louvois and his son.

From Prince Eugene and His Times by Mühlbach, L. (Luise)

Related Words

• cross swords