English Reference

Phrasal verb

stare down

Definition

phrasal verb. to look directly at someone for a long time until they look away or stop being brave.

phrasal verb. to intimidate or defeat an opponent by maintaining steady, unblinking eye contact until they yield. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the person or challenge being confronted.

Examples

“The boxer tried to stare down his opponent before the fight.”

“She had to stare down her fear of public speaking to give the presentation successfully.”

“The seasoned diplomat managed to stare down the aggressive demands of the opposing delegation without blinking or offering a single concession.”

Examples

simple

“The boxer tried to stare down his opponent before the fight.”

contextual

“She had to stare down her fear of public speaking to give the presentation successfully.”

complex

“The seasoned diplomat managed to stare down the aggressive demands of the opposing delegation without blinking or offering a single concession.”

Usage

usually takes a person as the object, but can be used figuratively with abstract nouns like 'fear' or 'danger'.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'stare at' (neutral observation); 'stare down' implies a power struggle or a test of wills.

Pitfall

He stared down to the ground.

He stared down his rival.

the phrase requires a direct object that is being intimidated, rather than a direction of sight.

Phrasal verb

Particles

down

Separability

optional

Pattern

stare + down + object

Synonyms

outstareconfrontface downintimidate

Antonyms

look awayyieldavoid

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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