bearing down on

Rapidly getting closer

Bearing down on means approaching rapidly and often threateningly: The storm was bearing down on the coast.

It suggests unstoppable forward motion toward a target—a ship bearing down on another vessel, a deadline bearing down on a procrastinator.

The phrase can also mean applying pressure or force: She was bearing down on the accelerator.

Related

closing in · closing the gap · advancing · gaining ground · compressing · focusing · approaching · stressing · squeezing · chasing · pursuing · overwhelming · pushing · forcing · crushing · targeting · dead set on · laser focus

Opposites
pressure/intensity

bearing down onbacking off

Ceasing to pursue

releasing · relenting · slackening · laying off

threat/pursuit dynamics

bearing down onavoiding

Deliberately staying clear

evading

direction of movement

bearing down ongiving ground

beating a retreat · turning tail

Family

bear, bearing, down, bears, bearable, unbearable, bearer, bearings, downer

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G