Definition
To compel someone (to do something); to create a situation in which someone has no alternative course of action.
In Context
- "Richard Rosenbaum had deferred to Mr. D'Amato in leading the Dole effort in the state, but Mr. D'Amato delayed organizing it until, as Westchester County legislator Tim Carey put it, "Dole put a gun to his head.""
- ""[T]o say the industry hasn't changed is to ignore reality," Yerrid said. "Now, they changed because we put a gun to their head, not because they're nice people and wanted to change.""
- ""They have effectively put a gun to our head and said if we don't accept their proposal they will impose a more Draconian contract.""
- "The prime minister . . . will be disappointed if he thinks he can put a gun to their heads to begin renegotiating Britain's EU membership and then dictate when it will end."