bear down on

USAGE SUMMARY

"bear down on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate using pressure or influence on something or someone in order to make them do something. Example: The teacher bore down on the students to make them work harder.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr Cameron said the party was determined to bear down on one of the biggest expenses facing many families.

Independent

The point is, really bear down on one part of your game - skating, shooting, stickhandling, defense.

HuffPost

As we bear down on Iraq, Al Qaeda is bearing down on us.

The New York Times

We had a couple in front, one-on-one with him, that we just didn't bear down on,".

Los Angeles Times

There had been one exquisite pass slid for Lucas to collect beyond Gary Cahill and bear down on goal.

The Guardian - Sport

They bear down on my cell – stomp!

Independent

We had to "bear down on wildlife".

The Guardian

Both bear down on defense and grind it out offensively.

The New York Times

And "principled realism" ought to bear down on Iran.

The Washington Post

The pressure started to bear down on his family.

The Guardian

The pressure, however, will bear down on Jones.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bear down on" when you want to convey a sense of determined effort or pressure being applied to achieve a specific outcome. It's suitable for describing both literal and figurative situations.

Common error

Avoid using "bear down on" when a gentler approach is more appropriate. This phrase implies significant force or pressure, which might be too strong for delicate or sensitive situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear down on" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, expressing the action of applying significant pressure or focusing intently on something. It can refer to both physical and abstract concepts as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Bear down on" is a versatile phrasal verb that signifies applying pressure or focusing intently on a specific target. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its frequent appearance in news, business, and sports contexts highlights its widespread applicability. While alternatives like "focus intently on" or "apply intense pressure to" exist, "bear down on" carries a unique sense of determined effort. Remember to consider the intensity of the phrase and use it judiciously to avoid being too forceful in delicate situations. The most authoritative sources that uses it are The Guardian, The New York Times and Independent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring to bear on

Use a similar kind of force but using more words. "Bear down on" is more concise.

apply intense pressure to

Apply is about action, pressure is the central concept and intense intensifies the action. "Bear down on" also implies focus.

focus intently on

Focus is more about concentrating efforts while "bear down on" implies forceful action.

exert influence on

Exert means similar force concept. "Bear down on" implies immediate pressure, while exert influence suggests long-term impact.

press forcefully upon

Press is a more direct synonym for bear, while forcefully is intensifier. "Bear down on" implies a sustained pressure.

zero in on

"Zero in on" is more figurative, indicating precise targeting, while "bear down on" suggests a more general application of force or focus.

move determinedly toward

Move is about direction and determinedly and toward is intensifying. "Bear down on" suggests overcoming resistance.

crack down on

"Crack down on" usually implies stricter enforcement or punishment, whereas "bear down on" can refer to any kind of concentrated effort or approach.

close in on

"Close in on" usually suggests a physical approach, while "bear down on" can be more abstract.

weigh heavily on

"Weigh heavily on" indicates emotional or psychological pressure, while "bear down on" often refers to external forces or actions.

FAQs

How can I use "bear down on" in a sentence?

You can use "bear down on" to describe applying pressure or focusing effort towards a goal. For example, "The government is trying to "bear down on" tax evasion".

What's the difference between "bear down on" and "crack down on"?

"Bear down on" generally means to apply pressure or focus effort, while "crack down on" implies stricter enforcement of rules or laws.

Is "bear down on" formal or informal?

"Bear down on" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends on the specific situation and the desired level of intensity in your writing.

What can I say instead of "bear down on"?

You can use alternatives such as "focus intently on", "apply intense pressure to", or "bring to bear on" depending on the context.