stemming the tide
Checking the surge
Stemming the tide means stopping or slowing an overwhelming force or trend.
The image is of holding back rising water—difficult and perhaps temporary, but necessary: The company struggled to stem the tide of customer complaints.
Often implies fighting against something that may ultimately prove unstoppable.
- preventStop in advance
- counteractNullify by opposing force
- stop the bleedingControl active hemorrhage
- restrainLimit freedom of movement
- haltComplete sudden stop
check · curb · levee · resist · arrest · stave off · hold back · dam · thwart · damage control · hold the line · stand firm · fighting back · barrier · containment · impede · staunch · suppress
stemming the tidegoing with the flow
Accepting situations without resistance
giving in · capitulating · yielding · throwing in the towel · caving in
stemming the tidefanning the flames
Worsening a volatile situation
amplifying · intensifying · exacerbating · stoking · escalating