bear down

American  

[bair daun] / ˌbɛər ˈdaʊn /

verb (used without object)

bore down, bearing down

1. to advance on a person, place, or thing in an intimidating way.

2. (of weather) to have a particularly intense impact (often followed by on).

3. to expend a great deal of effort.

4. to apply oneself with determination.

5. to use the abdominal muscles to exert internal pressure.

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verb (used with object)

bore down, bearing down

1. to defeat, oppress, press down on, or exhaust.

bear down British  

verb

1. to press or weigh down

2. to approach in a determined or threatening manner

3. (of a vessel) to make an approach (to another vessel, obstacle, etc) from windward

4. (of a woman during childbirth) to exert a voluntary muscular pressure to assist delivery

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bear down Idioms  

1. Press or weigh down on someone or something. For example, This pen doesn't write unless you bear down hard on it . [Late 1600s]

2. Try hard, intensify one's efforts, as in If you'll just bear down, you'll pass the test .

3. Move forward in a pressing or threatening way, as in The ferry bore down on our little skiff . This usage was originally nautical. [Early 1700s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bear down

At the All-Star Game, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he believes the implementation of ABS has “made the umpiring even better, because they have to bear down even more.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

That question matters more than ever as tariffs, surging energy prices and the threat of artificial intelligence bear down on the broader economy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 22, 2026

Toys sold for less than £15 accounted for nearly half of the UK market last year, as pressure from the rising cost of living continued to bear down on consumers.

From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2025

“Just hold on,“ snipes a young actor with whom she has a run-in, feeling that weight bear down on him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2024

My face upside down above Caesar’s, I see his jaw clench, his teeth bear down, and his eyes widen with shock.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes