THROW DOWN THE GAUNTLET Definition & Meaning

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throw down the gauntlet

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Idioms and Phrases

Declare or issue a challenge, as in The senator threw down the gauntlet on the abortion issue . This expression alludes to the medieval practice of a knight throwing down his gauntlet, or metal glove, as a challenge to combat. Its figurative use dates from the second half of the 1700s, as does the less frequently heard take up the gauntlet , for accepting a challenge.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

If anyone thought the Kings were hoping to stare across the ice, look the Oilers in the eyes and throw down the gauntlet, he wasn’t among them.

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With Liverpool playing later on Sunday, and defending champions Manchester City still behind them after dropping points against Crystal Palace, Arsenal had an opportunity to throw down the gauntlet to their rivals.

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Food Lifeline’s CEO, Linda Nageotte, says they didn’t move to a livable wage for the praise or to throw down the gauntlet for other nonprofits working in social and human services.

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Richard Hunter, head of markets at interactive investor, says Tesco’s move “may also throw down the gauntlet to some of its blue chip rivals, resulting in some other companies potentially following suit.”

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If ever there were a time to throw down the gauntlet and change things up a bit, the Oscars entrance parade should be it.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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