to ram down someone's throat
1
8.9
- phrasal verb
- Informal
:
imponer a alguien
- If your ideas are any good, you'll have to ram them down people's throats.
Examples
-
She felt that the teacher was trying to ram new concepts down her throat without giving students time to understand.
-
"If your ideas are any good, you'll have to ram them down people's throats."
Blog text (21) -
I'd never ram that down somebody's throat, or I'd hope I wouldn't, but I do believe these things.
Blog text (7) -
Unfortunately, I tend to be the atheist asshole who tries to ram my personal beliefs down people's throats.
Blog text (26) -
Politicians often try to ram their policies down our throats, even when we disagree with them.
-
He didn't want to ram his opinions down anyone's throat, but he passionately believed in his cause.
Synonyms
118
7.3
To make someone accept different beliefs using pressure and tricks
91
6.4
Force someone to do something by threats
41
6.7
To force something on someone, often against their will
8
8.3
To force someone to do something by threatening them
6
8.2
To force someone to do something by threats or strong pressure
4
5.1
To force an idea or action on someone
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
9.7
To force someone to do something by threats or strong pressure
1
8.3
Make someone accept ideas or opinions they do not want by pressuring them
To frighten or shout at someone to make them do what you want
Antonyms
How Forceful
- Informal
1
8.9
∞
2.8
285
3.9
∞
1.6
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
ram + down + someone's + throat
The verb 'ram' (to force) combined with the directional image 'down someone's throat' gives a clear physical metaphor of forcing something into a person, so learners who know the words will likely guess it means to force something on someone. However, the extension from a literal violent action to the abstract sense of imposing ideas/opinions is metaphorical and idiomatic enough that the exact pragmatic usage and nuance may not be fully predictable without prior exposure.
Etymology
Ram down someone's throat may come from the strong image of a ram pushing something into a person's throat, like forcing food into someone's mouth so they cannot refuse. That's why it means 'to force someone to accept an idea or opinion'.