Force your enemy into a confrontation

Posted by ESC on November 11, 2005

In Reply to: Force your enemy into a confrontation posted by Bob on November 10, 2005

: : Hi,

: : There's saying that I heard a while ago, for some reason I thought it was 'brought to brook' perhaps a military term, to force your enemy into a confrontation - or, say, somebody an issue. This isn't the expression I was looking for (it doesn't exist), but I feel it has a 'watery feel'. Can anyone help?

: : Many thanks in advance

: : Steve

: "Bring to a head" perhaps? That would be (on board ship anyway) somewhat watery.... ;-)

Maybe it has to do with this meaning (from Merriam-Webster):
Main Entry: 2 brook
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English brouken to use, enjoy, from Old English brucan; akin to Old High German bruhhan to use, Latin frui to enjoy
: to stand for : TOLERATE He would brook no interference with his plans.

• Force your enemy into a confrontation Victoria S Dennis 11/November/05