force the issue
idiom
: to force someone to do something or to make a decision about something
They would never have addressed the problem if that newspaper article hadn't forced the issue.
Examples of force the issue in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Given that there is no onus on them to force the issue and score, Carlo Ancelotti’s team tactics will likely gravitate around absorbing pressure and picking Man City off on the counter.
—
Sam Tighe, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
Which is why the former president should force the issue as much as possible and demand the 81-year-old Biden face off in at least three 90-minute debates with unbiased moderators.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
And despite the saber rattling coming from the Trump administration, attempting to force the issue would pose major complications for two other top US priorities: migration and the economy.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
States also likely won't expand or initiate Medicaid coverage of GLP-1 drugs to treat obesity, McEvoy added, though a Biden administration proposal could force the issue by requiring the coverage.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for force the issue
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sam Tighe, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
Which is why the former president should force the issue as much as possible and demand the 81-year-old Biden face off in at least three 90-minute debates with unbiased moderators.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
And despite the saber rattling coming from the Trump administration, attempting to force the issue would pose major complications for two other top US priorities: migration and the economy.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
States also likely won't expand or initiate Medicaid coverage of GLP-1 drugs to treat obesity, McEvoy added, though a Biden administration proposal could force the issue by requiring the coverage.
—Maya Goldman, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for force the issue
Cite this Entry
“Force the issue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/force%20the%20issue. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share