Stare sb down Meaning & Examples: How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Stare sb down” Mean?

“Stare sb down” means to look at someone in a determined or intimidating way until they look away or give up.

Introduction

The phrase “Stare sb down” is a common English phrasal verb used to describe a situation where one person looks at another with strong focus and confidence, often to show dominance or to intimidate. Understanding the “Stare sb down meaning” can help you recognize situations where someone is trying to assert control simply through eye contact. This phrase is useful in both casual and formal conversations, especially when talking about confrontations or competitions.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Stare somebody down
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: To look at someone so strongly that they feel pressured to look away

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Stare sb down” is a transitive phrasal verb and usually inseparable. This means the object (sb) always comes immediately after “stare” and before “down.”

Correct pattern: stare + somebody + down

Incorrect pattern: stare down + somebody

How to Use Stare sb down?

Use “stare sb down” when describing a situation where someone uses a strong, steady look to challenge or intimidate another person. It is often used in contexts involving competition, conflict, or moments where one person tries to assert authority or confidence.

Example contexts include sports, arguments, or any tense social situation.

Examples

When the two competitors faced each other, he managed to stare his opponent down without blinking.

• She tried to stare him down during the negotiation, showing she was not afraid.
• He stared the bully down until the bully finally walked away.
• In the courtroom, the lawyer stared the witness down to make them nervous.
• They stared each other down before the race began.

These examples show how “stare sb down” is used in sentences to describe strong eye contact meant to intimidate or assert control.

Common Mistakes

People sometimes confuse the word order or use the phrase incorrectly by placing the object after “down.”

• Incorrect: He stared down his opponent.
• Correct: He stared his opponent down.

Remember, the object always comes between “stare” and “down.”

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrases include “look down on,” “glare at,” and “eye down,” but they have different meanings.

• Look down on: To think someone is inferior.
• Glare at: To look angrily at someone, but not necessarily to intimidate by persistence.
• Eye down: Informal phrase meaning to look someone up and down, often assessing them.

“Stare sb down” specifically implies a steady, confident look intended to make the other person look away.

Common Collocations

People often use “stare sb down” with words that refer to the person being stared at, especially in tense situations.

• Opponent: Someone competing against you.
• Bully: Someone who intimidates others.
• Enemy: Someone hostile or opposed to you.
• Witness: Someone giving testimony in court.
• Competitor: Someone in the same contest or challenge.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of stare sb down:

• Stare Sb Out

Real-life Dialogue

Imagine two friends watching a tense moment in a sports game.

Anna: Did you see how he stared his opponent down before the match?

Ben: Yeah, it was like he was trying to make him nervous just with his eyes.

Anna: It worked! The opponent looked away first.

Practice

Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “stare sb down.”

• During the debate, she __________ her opponent __________ to show confidence.
• The champion managed to __________ the challenger __________ before the fight.
• He couldn’t __________ the bully __________ and quickly looked away.

FAQ

• What does “stare sb down” mean? It means to look at someone steadily and confidently until they look away.
• Is “stare sb down” separable? No, the object must come between “stare” and “down.”
• Can “stare sb down” be used in formal situations? Yes, it can be used in formal and informal contexts.
• What are common objects with “stare sb down”? Opponent, bully, enemy, witness, competitor.
• Is “stare sb down” the same as “glare at”? No, “glare at” usually means angry looking, but “stare sb down” means to intimidate by steady looking.