ram down
Học thuậtThân thiện
A firefighter uses a sledgehammer to ram down the door of a burning building.
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To force something into place by striking or driving with great downward pressure: This meaning describes the physical action of using force, often with a tool or heavy object, to make something fit or enter a space.
- To teach or instill something through rigorous, repetitive practice: This figurative meaning refers to the process of making someone learn something thoroughly by constant repetition, akin to hammering a concept into their mind.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- The workers had to ram down the fence posts before the concrete set. (Describes the physical action of forcing the posts into the ground.)
- The sergeant rammed down the new safety procedures until every recruit could recite them. (Describes the figurative action of enforcing learning through repetition.)
- He used a mallet to ram down the lid of the crate.
Advanced Usage
- "to ram something down someone's throat": This is a common idiomatic extension meaning to force an idea, opinion, or belief on someone in an aggressive, persistent, and unwelcome manner.
- The company tried to ram their new policy down the employees' throats without any discussion.
Variants and Related Words
- Ram (verb): To strike or push against something with force.
- The ship rammed into the dock.
- Ramrod (noun/verb): A rod for ramming down the charge of a muzzle-loading firearm; used figuratively to mean to make something rigidly straight or to enforce strict discipline.
Synonyms
- Force down: To compel something to go down.
- Hammer in: To drive something in by hitting it repeatedly.
- Drill into: To teach by relentless repetition (figurative).
- Inculcate: To instill an idea, habit, or skill by persistent instruction (formal, figurative).
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Ram through: To force the passage or acceptance of something (e.g., a law, plan) quickly and without proper consideration.
- The government rammed the bill through parliament.
Related Idioms
- Ram down someone's throat: As noted in Advanced Usage, this idiom emphasizes the unwelcome and forceful nature of imposing something.
- I'm tired of them ramming their political views down my throat.
A firefighter uses a sledgehammer to ram down the door of a burning building.
Verb
- teach by drills and repetition
- strike or drive against with a heavy impact
- ram the gate with a sledgehammer
- pound on the door