bear down

verb6

1. •
   To push (someone) to the ground; to defeat, overcome.
2. •
   To approach in a determined manner.

   • Huth headed wide inside two minutes, Andy Wilkinson blasted over from Shotton's cut-back and Jones was squeezed out when bearing down on goal. — 2011
3. •
   To intensify one's efforts.

   • It's 9:41, 58 degrees, and I'm flunking out. Time to bear down.
4. •
   To exert downward pressure on one's abdomen, as in giving birth, forcing out feces, and some similar bodily maneuvers.
5. •
   To steer away from the wind; to approach from windward.
6. •
   (no longer used) To maintain one's position against (someone) in a debate; to stand one's ground against.

   • And they sayd unto her: thou arte mad. And she bare them doune that hit was even so. — 1526