stare down

Idioms  

1. Cause someone to waver or give in by or as if by being stared at. For example, Insisting on a better room, he stared down the manager until he got it. This expression alludes to staring at someone without being the first to blink or lower one's gaze. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stare down

Meantime, holiday travelers will stare down an average nationwide gasoline price of $4.08 a gallon, and pay airfares that have skyrocketed with energy costs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 2, 2026

By taking on Brontë’s book, Fennell was doomed to stare down millions of overly pedantic literature sticklers, people who prefer their adaptations pure and untainted.

From Salon ● Feb. 23, 2026

Ben Stokes's men will have to produce something extra special as they stare down the barrel of a 435-run target for victory.

From Barron's ● Dec. 20, 2025

On Thursday, the stare down lasted almost as long as four rounds of boxing.

From BBC ● Dec. 19, 2024

He continued to stare down at her hands in lieu of meeting her eyes, as if he were worried that she’d try to strangle him.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny