To throw down the gauntlet

To throw down the gauntlet
Gauntlet Gaunt"let, n. [F. gantelet, dim. of gant glove, LL. wantus, of Teutonic origin; cf. D. want, Sw. & Dan. vante, Icel. v["o]ttr, for vantr.] 1. A glove of such material that it defends the hand from wounds. [1913 Webster]

Note: The gauntlet of the Middle Ages was sometimes of chain mail, sometimes of leather partly covered with plates, scales, etc., of metal sewed to it, and, in the 14th century, became a glove of small steel plates, carefully articulated and covering the whole hand except the palm and the inside of the fingers. [1913 Webster]

2. A long glove, covering the wrist. [1913 Webster]

3. (Naut.) A rope on which hammocks or clothes are hung for drying. [1913 Webster]

{To take up the gauntlet}, to accept a challenge.

{To throw down the gauntlet}, to offer or send a challenge. The gauntlet or glove was thrown down by the knight challenging, and was taken up by the one who accepted the challenge; -- hence the phrases. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • throw down the gauntlet — see under ↑gauntlet1 • • • Main Entry: ↑throw * * * throw down the gauntlet phrase to make it clear that you want to argue or fight with someone about something Thesaurus: to arguehyponym arguments and arguing …   Useful english dictionary

  • throw down the gauntlet — {v. phr.} To challenge, especially to a fight. * /Another candidate for the presidency has thrown down the gauntlet./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • throw down the gauntlet — {v. phr.} To challenge, especially to a fight. * /Another candidate for the presidency has thrown down the gauntlet./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • throw down the gauntlet — is to issue a challenge to somebody …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • throw down the gauntlet —    Throw down the gauntlet is to issue a challenge to somebody.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • Throw down the gauntlet —   Throw down the gauntlet is to issue a challenge to somebody …   Dictionary of English idioms

  • throw down the gauntlet — ► take up (or throw down) the gauntlet accept (or issue) a challenge. [ORIGIN: from the medieval custom of issuing a challenge by throwing one s gauntlet to the ground; whoever picked it up was deemed to have accepted the challenge.] Main Entry:… …   English terms dictionary

  • throw down the gauntlet — verb To issue a challenge. The competing firm threw down the gauntlet by offering a faster product at a lower price. See Also: take up the gauntlet …   Wiktionary

  • throw down the gauntlet — challenge someone to a fight or something similar The government threw down the gauntlet to the opposition party to either give an alternative or stop criticizing the government s plans …   Idioms and examples

  • throw\ down\ the\ gauntlet — v. phr. To challenge, especially to a fight. Another candidate for the presidency has thrown down the gauntlet …   Словарь американских идиом

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