it bears down

USAGE SUMMARY

"it bears down" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where pressure or weight is applied, either literally or metaphorically. For example: "The storm clouds bear down on the town, threatening heavy rain." Alternative expressions include "it weighs heavily" and "it presses down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Again, this is an outwardly sensible idea, not least because it bears down on fraud.

The Guardian - Opinion

Marnie stares blankly past the camera as it bears down on her.

The Guardian - Film

Breaking free from a mesh of clouds, it bears down heavily on our skin, cooking us in our kayaks.

The Guardian - Travel

Also screening is Colin, an intriguing micro-budget British horror flick taking a zombie's-eye view of undead armageddon as it bears down on London.

The Guardian - Film

It looks like they are taking a drive straight through hell: The next video gives a decent idea of the magnitude and seeming inescapility of the firestorm as it bears down on the town of Kinglake.

The New Yorker

The authors reckon the surge in offshoring since the mid-1990s has created 100,000 extra jobs.Another worry about offshoring, and globalisation more generally, is that it bears down on wages in developed economies.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Fueled by swirling winds and temperatures in the mid-90's, it reached nearly 120,000 acres as it bore down on Woodland Park, northwest of Colorado Springs.

The New York Times

The authorities have not released details of the plane's track as it bore down on Washington and crashed not into the White House, but just across the Potomac River in Virginia, into the Pentagon.

The New York Times

This two-part case study focuses on how New York City prepared for the storm's arrival and then responded to the cascading series of emergencies – from fires, to flooding, to power failures – that played out as it bore down on the region.

Harvard University

This two-part case study focuses on how New York City prepared for the storm's arrival and then responded to the cascading series of emergencies – from fires, to flooding, to power failures – that played out as it bore down on the city.

Harvard University

As Sandy thundered up the US eastern seaboard it bore down on HMS Bounty, a 180-foot replica of Captain Bligh's tall ship that was used in the 1962 film Mutiny on the Bounty, and was now sailing off the coast of North Carolina.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it bears down" to create a sense of impending pressure or threat, whether literal (like a storm) or figurative (like a deadline). It adds a dramatic flair to your writing.

Common error

Avoid confusing "bears" (carries, presses) with "bares" (reveals, exposes). "It bares down" is incorrect in most contexts where you intend to convey pressure or force.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it bears down" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often acting as the main verb in a clause. It describes an action of approaching with force or pressure, either literally or figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Film

10%

Travel

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it bears down" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe something approaching with force or pressure. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it's frequently used in news and media to depict impending events or looming threats, but also finds its place in film and travel writing. While "it bears down" isn't necessarily formal, it adds a sense of gravity and intensity to the writing. Remember to distinguish "bears" from "bares" to avoid potential errors. Consider using alternative phrases like "it presses down" or "it weighs heavily" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it presses down

Focuses on the physical or metaphorical weight being applied.

it weighs heavily

Emphasizes the burden or emotional impact of something.

it descends upon

Suggests a coming down or arrival with force or impact.

it looms large

Implies something is becoming prominent and potentially threatening.

it closes in

Conveys a sense of encirclement or reducing space/time.

it bears upon

Indicates a relevance or influence on something else.

it converges

Suggests multiple elements coming together at a single point with potential impact.

it impinges upon

Emphasizes an intrusive or restrictive effect on something.

it asserts itself

Highlights the forceful or dominant nature of an entity.

it encroaches

Implies gradual and often stealthy intrusion.

FAQs

How can I use "it bears down" in a sentence?

You can use "it bears down" to describe something that is approaching with force or pressure. For example, "The hurricane bears down on the coast" or "The weight of responsibility bears down on her".

What does "it bears down" mean?

"It bears down" means that something is approaching forcefully or exerting pressure. It often implies a sense of impending impact or threat.

What are some alternatives to "it bears down"?

Alternatives to "it bears down" include "it presses down", "it weighs heavily", or "it descends upon", depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "it bears down"?

The phrase "it bears down" is relatively neutral in formality and can be used in both news reporting and creative writing. Its appropriateness depends more on the context than the formality of the writing.