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

See Examples For:

throw down the gauntlet

If anyone thought the Kings were hoping to stare across the ice, look the Oilers in the eyes and throw down the gauntlet, he wasn’t among them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 28, 2024

So here’s a YouTube clip of the current definitive live-action Pac-Man to throw down the gauntlet.

From The Verge ● Aug. 9, 2022

After scoring the goal that sealed Manchester City’s progress to the semifinals, Phil Foden appeared to throw down the gauntlet to Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 16, 2021

Its chair Maria Millerpromised she would "throw down the gauntlet to companies such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Twitter".

From The Guardian ● Jun. 19, 2013

It was perhaps premature to throw down the gauntlet at sixteen, but her inexperience and isolation were complete.

From Famous Women: George Sand by Bertha Thomas

Related Words

• cross swords