browbeat
To intimidate or bully someone into doing something by using a stern, overbearing, or arrogant manner. It typically involves using one's authority or a threatening presence to force an agreement or specific behavior.
Exemples
3 sur 5My older brother tried to browbeat me into doing his chores by threatening to tell Mom about my secret.
My older brother tried to browbeat me into doing his chores by threatening to tell Mom about my secret.
The committee chairman was criticized for attempting to browbeat witnesses into changing their testimony during the hearing.
The committee chairman was criticized for attempting to browbeat witnesses into changing their testimony during the hearing.
Don't let him browbeat you into saying yes; you have every right to refuse the offer.
Don't let him browbeat you into saying yes; you have every right to refuse the offer.
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Think of someone lowering their 'brows' (eyebrows) in a mean look and 'beating' you down with their words until you give in.
Quiz rapide
The aggressive lawyer tried to _______ the witness into admitting guilt, but the judge intervened.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : browbeat
Exemples
My older brother tried to browbeat me into doing his chores by threatening to tell Mom about my secret.
everydayMy older brother tried to browbeat me into doing his chores by threatening to tell Mom about my secret.
The committee chairman was criticized for attempting to browbeat witnesses into changing their testimony during the hearing.
formalThe committee chairman was criticized for attempting to browbeat witnesses into changing their testimony during the hearing.
Don't let him browbeat you into saying yes; you have every right to refuse the offer.
informalDon't let him browbeat you into saying yes; you have every right to refuse the offer.
Scholars argue that powerful nations often browbeat smaller states into signing unfavorable trade agreements.
academicScholars argue that powerful nations often browbeat smaller states into signing unfavorable trade agreements.
The manager would often browbeat his subordinates into working overtime without providing any additional compensation.
businessThe manager would often browbeat his subordinates into working overtime without providing any additional compensation.
Famille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
browbeat into an agreement
browbeat into an agreement
to browbeat someone into silence
to browbeat someone into silence
don't be browbeaten
don't be browbeaten
Souvent confondu avec
To berate is to scold or criticize someone angrily, while to browbeat is to bully or force someone into doing something.
Bullying is a general term for abuse, whereas browbeating specifically implies a psychological or intellectual overbearingness, often using one's status.
Notes d'usage
Browbeat is most commonly used in the pattern 'browbeat someone into doing something.' It implies a sense of psychological pressure rather than just physical force.
Erreurs courantes
Learners sometimes use 'browbeat' as a noun; however, the act itself is 'browbeating.' Also, remember it is an irregular verb: the past tense is 'browbeat' and the past participle is 'browbeaten.'
Astuce mémo
Think of someone lowering their 'brows' (eyebrows) in a mean look and 'beating' you down with their words until you give in.
Origine du mot
Derived from 'brow' (meaning the forehead/eyebrow expression) and 'beat,' suggesting the act of bearing down on someone with an intimidating or stern expression.
Modèles grammaticaux
Contexte culturel
In legal contexts, judges often warn lawyers not to browbeat witnesses during cross-examination to ensure a fair trial.
Quiz rapide
The aggressive lawyer tried to _______ the witness into admitting guilt, but the judge intervened.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : browbeat
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