bear down

Verb

• exert a force or cause a strain upon
  • This tax bears down on the lower middle class
    

• pay special attention to
  • The lectures bore down on the political background
    

• exert full strength
  • The pitcher bore down
    

• to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
  • he saw Jess charging at him with a pitchfork
    

• contract the abdominal muscles during childbirth to ease delivery

• exert a force with a heavy weight
  • The snow bore down on the roof
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  charge , overbear , drag down , bear down on , press down on , weigh down