stare down

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

Ukrainians have shown their courage and determination to stare down the government bullies during these last few weeks.

From The Daily Beast

Little Aamira went to the Capitol to stare down a Senator—and she won.

From The Daily Beast

Weinberger helped stare down the Soviet Union without the need to commit major forces to battle.

From The Daily Beast

At ordinary runway shows, the models icily stare down the audience.

From The Daily Beast

He looked hard at Edward Henry, as though to stare down the memory of the failure of Nashe's verse.

From Project Gutenberg

We feel the usual fascination of the ice, and stand and stare down into the dark cold depths.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, he dared to stare down for the second time, and his heart took a great leap.

From Project Gutenberg

Harshaw came out then, and he began to walk the platform, and to stare down the track toward Nampa; so I sat down.

From Project Gutenberg

As Mary stepped from the tent her eyes fell upon a pair of lifeless eyes that seemed to stare down upon her.

From Project Gutenberg