bear down

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Verb

bear down

1. Used other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see bear, down
2. (nautical) To steer away from the wind; to approach from windward.
3. (transitive) To push (someone) to the ground; to defeat, overcome. [from 14th c.]
4. (transitive, obsolete) To maintain one's position against (someone) in a debate; to stand one's ground against. [16th-17th c.]
   • 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Acts XII:

     And they sayd unto her: thou arte mad. And she bare them doune that hit was even so.

5. (intransitive) To intensify one's efforts.

   It's 9:41, 58 degrees, and I'm flunking out. Time to bear down.

6. (intransitive, with on) To approach in a determined manner.
7. (intransitive) To exert downward pressure on one's abdomen, as in giving birth, forcing out feces, and some similar bodily maneuvers.

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