IdiomDaily LifeEnglish

throw down the gauntlet

Meaning: To challenge someone to fight or argue.

Example: “The champion threw down the gauntlet with a public challenge.”

Origin: A gauntlet is an armored glove. In medieval chivalry, a knight threw his gauntlet on the ground to challenge an opponent, who accepted by picking it up. The figurative phrase is found from the 16th century.

More English idioms

Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters

Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.

Browse all tongue twisters →

Keep exploring

Explore all idioms →