stare down
Cause someone to waver or give in by or as if by being stared at. For example, Insisting on a better room, he stared down the manager until he got it. This expression alludes to staring at someone without being the first to blink or lower one's gaze. [Mid-1800s]
Words Nearby stare down
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
How to use stare down in a sentence
Ukrainians have shown their courage and determination to stare down the government bullies during these last few weeks.
Little Aamira went to the Capitol to stare down a Senator—and she won.
Weinberger helped stare down the Soviet Union without the need to commit major forces to battle.
Chuck Hagel’s Experience as a Soldier Uniquely Qualifies Him to Head Defense | Matt Pottinger | January 5, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTAt ordinary runway shows, the models icily stare down the audience.
He looked hard at Edward Henry, as though to stare down the memory of the failure of Nashe's verse.
The Regent | E. Arnold Bennett
We feel the usual fascination of the ice, and stand and stare down into the dark cold depths.
Trans-Himalaya, Vol. 2 (of 2) | Sven HedinNow, he dared to stare down for the second time, and his heart took a great leap.
The Guns of Europe | Joseph A. AltshelerHarshaw came out then, and he began to walk the platform, and to stare down the track toward Nampa; so I sat down.
A Touch Of Sun And Other Stories | Mary Hallock FooteAs Mary stepped from the tent her eyes fell upon a pair of lifeless eyes that seemed to stare down upon her.
A Ticket to Adventure | Roy J. Snell
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