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

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

Barca could not stem the tide and Girona forced their way in front after 87 minutes, with Fran Beltran stroking home from the edge of the area.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

England head coach Steve Borthwick sent on replacements Will Stuart, Fin Baxter, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock to try to stem the tide but Argentina continued to advance regardless.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2025

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

In the livingroom, she heard Atticus’s even voice: . . stem the tide a little bit this way . . . good thing he asked for one of the Maycomb lawyers.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee