to force down someone's throat
1
8.3
- idiom
- Informal
:
imponer
- The problem in most countries, especially here in Canada, is that many don't care if it's legal or not; we just want legislation to stop people from forcing it down others' throats.
Examples
-
It's not fair to force down someone's throat beliefs that they do not share.
-
Dear Sandar, I suppose it's a matter of perspective as to who is forcing something down another's throat.
Blog text (12) -
You don't see the rest of us forcing our beliefs down everyone's throat.
Blog text (12) -
They forced Christianity and colonialism down my people's throats.
Fiction book (2001) -
Many people feel that politicians often try to force down their throats ideas they do not agree with.
-
She was frustrated by how her boss would force down everyone's throats his opinions during meetings.
Synonyms
∞
2.3
To make someone do something by using power or pressure
271
4.8
Force someone to accept something they do not want
149
4.2
To try to make someone do something
118
7.3
To make someone accept different beliefs using pressure and tricks
91
6.4
Force someone to do something by threats
66
5.6
To treat someone in a bossy way so they do what you want
60
5.5
To force someone to accept something or to ask too much of them
41
6.7
To force something on someone, often against their will
20
8.4
Force or trick someone into accepting something they do not want
15
7.5
To force someone to do something by threats or violence
9
8.1
To make someone do something by threatening them or using angry words
6
8.2
To force someone to do something by threats or strong pressure
3
7.7
Make someone do what you want without them noticing
2
9.1
Force someone to accept an idea they do not want
2
7.0
To make someone accept ideas they do not want
1
7.9
To force ideas or rules on someone by repeating them against their will
1
7.2
Force your beliefs on other people who do not want them
1
4.4
Get someone to agree or do something by pressuring them
1
8.9
Force someone to accept ideas or opinions without their choice
1
9.7
To force someone to do something by threats or strong pressure
To frighten or shout at someone to make them do what you want
How Forceful
- Informal
1
8.9
- Informal
1
8.3
60
5.5
149
4.2
472
2.7
∞
1.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
force + down + someone's + throat
The phrase creates a vivid physical image—'force' + 'down' + 'throat'—that maps onto the idea of making someone take something unwillingly, so a learner who knows the words can often infer it refers to imposing something. However, the meaning is a metaphorical extension (imposing beliefs or opinions) rather than a literal action, and the specific figurative use may not be fully predictable without prior exposure. Because the comprehension relies on mapping a bodily image to a social action (a common cross-linguistic metaphor) it is partly but not fully transparent to B1 learners.
Etymology
The phrase force down someone's throat may come from the image of pushing food into someone's mouth so it goes down their throat. So it now means to force ideas on someone and make them 'accept' things they do not want.