bring to bear

Idioms  

1. Exert, apply, as in All his efforts are brought to bear on the new problem, or The union is bringing pressure to bear on management. [Late 1600s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bring to bear

While Washington now aims to crush Iran economically, Tehran has weathered decades of international sanctions and experts remain sceptical about how much more pressure the US can bring to bear.

From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026

Morally if not legally, they deserve more grief than whatever the Justice Department manages to bring to bear on them, which won’t be much.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026

He hopes “to bring to bear at the federal level many of the changes that we’re leading with here in California,” and has said promoting electric cars and solar and wind energy isn’t enough.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2024

“Chevron gives appropriate weight to the expertise, often of a scientific or technical nature, that federal agencies can bring to bear in interpreting federal statutes,” Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar wrote on behalf of the administration.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 16, 2024

I was getting a lesson in the sort of influence a wealthy baron’s firstborn son could bring to bear.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss