force the issue
idiom
: to force someone to do something or to make a decision about something
They would never have addressed the problem if that newspaper article hadn't forced the issue.
Examples of force the issue in a Sentence
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That could set up a new set of battles in the weeks ahead for a measure that has already roiled Republicans for months, exposing fractures between Trump and some of his closest allies while prompting unusual bipartisan alliances to force the issue.
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Nik Popli, Time, 17 Nov. 2025
Fetterman said that all of Epstein’s records held by the Department of Justice and FBI need to be made public and pointed out that Democrats and a handful of Republicans have enough support to use a discharge petition to force the issue to the House floor.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 12 Nov. 2025
If the Dodgers force the issue and Fox lucks into a seventh game, the commercial haul is expected to top $330 million.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2025
On a wet and slippery day the Browns pulled out seven offensive lineman on the first-and-goal play from the 4-yard line to force the issue against Miami’s goal-line defense, which is usually filled with defensive tackles and big bodies.
—Omar Kelly
updated October 19, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
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Nik Popli, Time, 17 Nov. 2025
Fetterman said that all of Epstein’s records held by the Department of Justice and FBI need to be made public and pointed out that Democrats and a handful of Republicans have enough support to use a discharge petition to force the issue to the House floor.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 12 Nov. 2025
If the Dodgers force the issue and Fox lucks into a seventh game, the commercial haul is expected to top $330 million.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2025
On a wet and slippery day the Browns pulled out seven offensive lineman on the first-and-goal play from the 4-yard line to force the issue against Miami’s goal-line defense, which is usually filled with defensive tackles and big bodies.
—Omar Kelly
updated October 19, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for force the issue
Cite this Entry
“Force the issue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/force%20the%20issue. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
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