v. 1. To press or push harder; work hard at; give full strength and attention. She is bearing down in her studies to win a scholarship. The baseball pitcher is bearing down. The pitcher bore down on the star batter. Teachers of the deaf bear down on English. The sergeant bears down on lazy soldiers.
Antonym: LET UP(2b). 2. To move toward in an impressive or threatening way. Often used with "on". While he was crossing the street a big truck bore down on him. The little ship tried to escape when the big pirate ship bore down. After the boys threw the snowballs they saw a large lady bearing down upon them from across the street.