bear down

Verb

• To steer away from the wind; to approach from windward.
• To push (someone) to the ground; to defeat, overcome.
• To maintain one's position against (someone) in a debate; to stand one's ground against.
• To intensify one's efforts.
• To approach in a determined manner.
• To exert downward pressure on one's abdomen, as in giving birth, forcing out feces, and some similar bodily maneuvers.