browbeat
browbeat (verb)
/braʊˌbit/
Meaning
- to intimidate or bully someone with stern or overbearing looks or speech.
- to intimidate or disconcert by a stern manner or arrogant speech.
- to intimidate someone, typically into doing something, with stern or abusive words.
- to try to force someone to do something by threatening them or persuading them forcefully and unfairly.
- to bully or intimidate someone by being overbearing or domineering.
Example Sentences
- The manager would often browbeat his employees into working overtime without extra pay.
- During the trial, the lawyer attempted to browbeat the witness into changing her testimony.
- He would never let anyone browbeat him into making a decision against his will.
- The teacher was known to browbeat students who did not meet her high expectations.
- She refused to be browbeaten by her peers into participating in the risky prank.
Origin and History
One of the most straightforward theories suggests that “browbeat” derives from the action of using one’s brow or forehead to express intimidation. This could involve furrowing the brow or glaring, both of which are non-verbal cues of dominance and aggression. The idea is that the person doing the browbeating uses their facial expressions to exert control or influence over another person.
Nautical Origin
Another theory proposes a nautical origin, where the term “brow” referred to a gangplank on a ship, and “beat” referred to the action of tacking back and forth. This theory imagines a scenario where someone is intimidated or punished by being made to walk to the end of a gangplank, with the ship’s movement causing the gangplank to swing precariously, thereby instilling fear in the individual. This interpretation, while colorful and imaginative, lacks substantial evidence and is more speculative.
Literal and Figurative Language
The Oxford English Dictionary notes the earliest use of the term “browbeat” dates back to the 1580s. The brow in question is typically that of the intimidator, not the victim. This aligns with the straightforward interpretation where stern or arrogant facial expressions (brow) are used to dominate or coerce someone (beat).
In addition to these historical and speculative explanations, it’s also worth noting that “browbeat” reflects a combination of literal and figurative language, where “brow” symbolizes the facial expressions associated with dominance, and “beat” conveys the aggressive nature of the intimidation.
Earliest Printed Record
The earliest recorded use of “browbeat” appears in texts from the late 16th century. Specifically, it was used in the context of using stern or arrogant looks to exert control or influence, aligning with the primary definition of the term.
“Browbeat” vs. “Brow Beat”
The term “browbeat” is frequently misunderstood and incorrectly written as “brow beat.” However, “browbeat” is a single word and functions as a verb meaning to intimidate or bully someone using stern or overbearing looks or speech.
Writing it as “brow beat” separates the components and loses the intended meaning, as “brow” and “beat” together as a single term encapsulate the act of intimidation through stern expressions or actions.
Synonyms
- bully; intimidate; cow; hector; domineer; coerce; badger; harass
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