stem the tide

Idioms  

1. Stop the course of a trend or tendency, as in It is not easy to stem the tide of public opinion. This idiom uses stem in the sense of “stop” or “restrain.” [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stem the tide

Now some courts are trying to stem the tide by cracking down on the lawyers concerned.

From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026

I observed the left parties and protesters in France working toward a broad coalition in civil society that might stem the tide of the far right.

From Salon ● Mar. 28, 2026

A 21-point showing in the loss from USC’s Wesley Yates III could only do so much to stem the tide.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 9, 2025

Against top opposition, Scotland cannot seem to stem the tide of goals.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2024

She is unable to stem the tide of junk mail that will continue to arrive for years, addressed to her dead husband.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri