Editor's Corner

Good morning!

The other day, I received an email from one of you about the phrase: brought to bear. (In present tense, “bring to bear.”) The speaker of the phrase said she uses it a lot but thought it might be interesting to find out more about it.

Wow! I don’t think I have ever used this phrase, nor have I brought anything to a bear, so I am definitely interested in this term.

While looking around, I found a great site that has idioms from all over the world. The site is called CrossIdiomas.com, and it’s definitely worth a visit!

First, what does “bring to bear” mean? Bring to bear means to apply mental effort or physical force—whatever resources you have—to make sure something occurs. Basically, doing whatever you have to do, to solve a problem. Here is the history from CrossIdiomas.com:

The idiom “bring to bear” is a commonly used phrase in the English language, which means to apply or exert something with force or influence. This idiomatic expression has its roots in the world of hunting, where it was originally used to describe the act of aiming a firearm at a target. Over time, the meaning of this phrase evolved and expanded into various contexts beyond hunting.

The origins of this idiom can be traced back to the 18th century when hunting was a popular sport among aristocrats and wealthy individuals. In those days, hunters would use firearms such as rifles and shotguns that required them to bring their weapon into position before firing accurately. The phrase “bring to bear” referred specifically to the action of bringing one’s gun into position for shooting.

As time passed, this term began appearing outside the context of hunting as well. It started being used figuratively in other areas such as business, politics, and military strategy. Today, it is widely used across different fields and industries as an idiomatic expression that refers to applying force or influence towards achieving a particular goal.

Here are some different uses of the term:

One common variation of this idiom is to use it in reference to a person’s expertise or knowledge. For example, someone might say “I will bring my years of experience to bear on this problem” when they want to emphasize their ability to solve a difficult issue. In this case, the phrase implies that the person has a unique set of skills or knowledge that they can apply towards finding a solution.

Another way that this idiom can be used is in reference to physical force or pressure. For instance, if someone wants to move a heavy object, they might say “I need to bring all my strength and energy to bear on this task.” In this case, the phrase emphasizes the idea that physical effort and exertion are required in order to achieve success.

Finally, another variation of this idiom involves using it in reference to emotional or psychological factors. For example, someone might say “I need to bring all my courage and determination to bear on this challenge” when facing a difficult situation. In such cases, the phrase suggests that inner strength and resilience are necessary for overcoming obstacles.

Well, I never would’ve guessed that this phrase comes from hunting! I always appreciate your questions and curiosity. Have a lovely autumn day!

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | Technical Publications

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

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