bit down
Clamped with teeth
Bit down is the past tense of bite down, meaning to close the teeth firmly on something.
You might bit down on a leather strap to endure pain, or bit down on a thermometer at the doctor's office.
Figuratively, to bite down on something is to accept or commit to it with determination: She bit down on the decision and didn't look back.
- crunchCrushing, grinding noise
- jawBone holding teeth
- chompLoud, vigorous mouthwork
- gnawBite repeatedly at
- chewGrind with teeth
grind · gritted teeth · grimaced · pressure · teeth · clench · molar · steeled · snap · clamp · mouth · mandible · incisor · held · held on · grit · white knuckle · lip