Source : WordNet®

bear down
     v 1: exert a force with a heavy weight; "The snow bore down on
          the roof" [syn: {drag down}, {bear down on}, {press down
          on}, {weigh down}]
     2: to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle; "he
        saw Jess charging at him with a pitchfork" [syn: {charge}]
     3: contract the abdominal muscles during childbirth to ease
        delivery [syn: {overbear}]
     4: exert full strength; "The pitcher bore down"
     5: pay special attention to; "The lectures bore down on the
        political background"
     6: exert a force or cause a strain upon; "This tax bears down
        on the lower middle class"