1 B2 neutral
To move quickly and forcefully toward someone or something, often in a threatening way.
"The truck suddenly bore down on the cyclists, forcing them to swerve off the road."
inseparable
bear down on
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To move toward someone or something in a threatening or forceful manner; to put pressure on someone or something.
In plain English
To move fast toward something in a scary or powerful way, or to put a lot of pressure on someone.
What does "bear down on" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To apply heavy pressure, scrutiny, or criticism to someone or a problem.
"Regulators are bearing down on banks that failed to report suspicious transactions."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To focus intensely on a task or problem with greater effort.
"She bore down on the final chapters of her thesis and finished them in two days."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bear (move/press) down with weight upon something or someone.
Actually means
To move fast toward something in a scary or powerful way, or to put a lot of pressure on someone.
Usage tip
Used both literally (a vehicle or person approaching fast) and figuratively (pressure, scrutiny). In sailing, 'bear down on' means to approach another vessel by sailing toward it. The figurative use is the most common in general English.
Words that pair with "bear down on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
deadline target ship vehicle opponent problem
How to conjugate "bear down on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bear down on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bears down on
he/she/it
Past simple
bore down on
yesterday
Past participle
born/borne down on
have + pp
-ing form
bearing down on
continuous
Hear "bear down on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bear down on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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