bears its battle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bears its battle" is not a standard expression in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used metaphorically to describe someone or something enduring challenges or struggles, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "In the face of adversity, she bears its battle with unwavering strength."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Some walls remain bullet-scarred, a few windows lie shattered: More than four months on, Westgate shopping centre in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, still bears its battle wounds.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Colombia's recent history still bears the deep scars of its battle with drugs.

The Guardian

The 32-year-old, 6ft 6ins lock has a face that bears the battle scars of more than a decade in the trenches that forwards love to talk about.

BBC

NFL Network — Its battle with cable companies bears watching,.

Forbes

With waterproof art markers and using generic white paper luncheon napkins as her canvas, Ms. Levy, a Brooklyn sculptor by day, designs a flat fantasy world at night where dragons breathe fire, teddy bears battle knights, Batman and Luke Skywalker make cameos, and popular cartoon animals wish 9-year-old Archer and 5-year-old Ansel a good lunch.

The New York Times

Both are dedicated to the Texas regiments that fought in the civil war, and one of them bears the Confederate battle flag and a quote from Robert E. Lee declaring that the soldiers "fought grandly, nobly".

The Economist

These words, spoken by President Abraham Lincoln in his Second Inaugural Address, embody the notion that all Americans are inherently connected to those citizens who "have borne the battle".

The New York Times

But it can begin by ensuring that we care for those who have borne the battle, and for their spouses and their orphans, to paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, America's greatest wartime president.

The New York Times

At the entrance to the department is a bronze plaque that reads, "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan".

The New York Times

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations".

Independent

And so he pledged himself "to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, [and] to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bears its battle", ensure the context clearly establishes what entity is enduring the struggle and what the 'battle' represents. This phrase is most effective when used metaphorically to describe lasting impacts or visible signs of a past conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "bears its battle" when describing ongoing conflicts. This phrase is better suited for reflecting on past struggles and their residual effects, rather than current actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bears its battle" functions as a metaphorical expression, typically used to describe something that endures and displays the lasting effects of a struggle. As Ludwig notes, it describes enduring challenges, though it's not a commonly recognized phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bears its battle" is a grammatically acceptable but infrequent phrase used to describe something that shows the lasting effects of a past struggle. Ludwig indicates that, while understandable, it's not widely recognized. It's primarily found in News & Media contexts and serves to highlight the resilience and visible consequences of conflict. While grammatically sound, writers should consider more common alternatives for clarity and broader understanding. The phrase is metaphorical and best used when describing past struggles rather than ongoing events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endures its struggle

Replaces "bears" with "endures", emphasizing the act of withstanding the hardship.

shows the scars of its fight

Focuses on the visible aftermath of the conflict, using "scars" to represent lasting impact.

suffers the consequences of its conflict

Highlights the negative results or repercussions arising from the confrontation.

carries the marks of its war

Uses "carries" to convey the burden and "marks" to indicate the visible signs of the conflict.

displays the wounds from its combat

Emphasizes the damage and injuries sustained during the battle.

reflects the impact of its strife

Shifts the focus to how the battle has changed or influenced the subject.

exhibits the signs of its ordeal

Highlights the visible indications of a difficult or painful experience.

reveals the effects of its campaign

Focuses on the demonstrated outcomes or changes resulting from a series of actions undertaken to achieve a specific goal.

testifies to the hardship of its struggle

Implies that the subject serves as evidence of the difficult experience.

demonstrates the toll of its conflict

Highlights the cost or damage inflicted by the confrontation.

FAQs

How can I use "bears its battle" in a sentence?

You can use "bears its battle" to describe something that shows the lasting effects of a past struggle. For example, "The city still "bears its battle" scars after the war".

What does "bears its battle" mean?

"Bears its battle" means to show the lasting effects or consequences of a past conflict or struggle. It suggests that something has been marked or changed by a challenging experience.

What are some alternatives to "bears its battle"?

Alternatives include "endures its struggle", "shows the scars of its fight", or "suffers the consequences of its conflict". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "bears its battle" a commonly used phrase?

No, "bears its battle" is not a common phrase. It is grammatically correct but used infrequently. More common alternatives might be preferable for broader clarity and understanding.