throw down the gauntlet
idiom
: to say or show that one is ready to fight, argue, or compete with someone : to challenge someone
The company threw down the gauntlet and told the union that this offer for a contract was final.
Examples of throw down the gauntlet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, Murphy wanted Orion to throw down the gauntlet with something more musically specific to Alabama, particularly North Alabama.
—
Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 11 May 2022
The program doesn’t just throw down the gauntlet either.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 11 May 2022
The program doesn’t just throw down the gauntlet either.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2021
Cite this Entry
“Throw down the gauntlet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw%20down%20the%20gauntlet. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share