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

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

Mercedes is really throwing down the gauntlet on aerodynamic design, with a sleek, flowing silhouette that almost erases any hint of a traditional sedan form.

From The Verge

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

If ever there were a time to throw down the gauntlet and change things up a bit, the Oscars entrance parade should be it.

From New York Times

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

From The Verge

Related Words

• cross swords