bears down on
Closes in menacingly
Bears down on means to approach with threatening or oppressive force.
A storm bears down on a coastal town; a deadline bears down on a procrastinator.
The phrase suggests something large and unstoppable closing in: The defensive lineman bore down on the quarterback.
It can also mean to apply pressure or concentrate intensely: She bore down on the final exam.
- impendBe imminent
- loomFabric-making frame
- dead aheadDirectly in one's path
- squeezeFirm bilateral compression
- crushCompress with force
push · concentrate · press · threaten · encroach · converges · force · confront · pursue · approach · charge · pounce · closes in · descend · zero in · home stretch · shove · advance