throw down the gauntlet

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To issue a challenge.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-throw down the gauntlet.wav

Word forms

throw down the gauntlet throws down the gauntlet throwing down the gauntlet threw down the gauntlet thrown down the gauntlet throw down the gantlet

Etymology

From the late medieval custom symbolizing a challenge, in French jeter le gant which nowadays usually means to give up after having tried hard (leaving the challenge to any takers). The English phrase dates to the 1540s (figurative use by the 18th century).

Related words

Derived words

throw down throw-down

← throw dirt
← throw dirt enough, and some will stick
← throw dirt on
← throw down
← throw down one's tools

throw dust in someone's eyes →
throw enough mud at the wall and some of it will stick →
throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick →
throw everything at the wall and see what sticks →
throw for a loop →

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