English Language & Usage Asked on November 21, 2021
"Staring down defeat, Danny tries another plan."
Does it mean that because Danny does not want to admit defeat, he tries another plan? Or maybe after Danny outfaced defeat, he is now trying another plan?
Question update: I just found out that people sometimes say "staring down the barrel of defeat". I’m not sure if it means the same as "staring down defeat".
OED:
to stare down
transitive. To stare at (someone) without being first to blink or lower one's gaze, usually as an expression of resistance or hostility; to outstare. Also figurative and in extended use.
1946 T. H. White Mistress Masham's Repose xiv. 115 Miss Brown searched out her pupil's eyes and fixed them with her own. She had a..trick of staring Maria down.
1979 Guardian 12 Jan. 8/5 Some measure of fiscal ‘mid-term adjustment’..is called for. So is a serious attempt to stare down the local government workers.
Answered by Greybeard on November 21, 2021
Get help from others!
Recent Questions
Recent Answers
© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP