throw down the gauntlet

To issue a challenge or invitation
throw down the gauntlet

To issue a challenge or invitation, as to a fight, argument, or competition.

Zelensky Throws Down Gauntlet to West Over 'Immobile' Patriot Systems


gauntlet
noun
a stout glove with a long loose wrist.
historical
an armored glove, as worn by a medieval knight.
the part of a glove covering the wrist.

Translate gauntlet to German

Gauntlet



Throw down the gauntlet - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

To issue a challenge to someone; from the medieval practice of knights throwing down a metal gauntlet as a sign that they wished to do single combat.

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To throw down the gauntlet means to challenge or confront someone. The phrase originates from the medieval practice of knights who would offer a challenge by throwing down their metal glove (gauntlet), which was part of their suit of armour. The challenge was accepted by picking up the gauntlet1. To take up the gauntlet means to accept a challenge

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Today the phrase “throw down the gauntlet” means to challenge or confront someone, but in its earliest use it wasn’t meant as a metaphor, but was a physical action intended to issue a formal challenge to a duel. The word itself comes from the French word “gantelet,” and referred to the heavy, armored gloves worn by medieval knights. In an age when chivalry and personal honor were paramount, throwing a gauntlet at the feet of an enemy or opponent was considered a grave insult that could only be answered with personal combat, and the offended party was expected to “take up the gauntlet” to acknowledge and accept the challenge. Over time, as heavy steel armor became less common, gauntlets referred to any heavy glove with an extended cuff to protect the wrists, and the practice of using gloves to initiate duels continued until dueling was outlawed in Europe and the United States in the late 18th century.

A similar-sounding phrase, “to run the gauntlet,” has a completely different origin, deriving from the Swedish word “gatlopp” and Old English “gantlope,” meaning lane course or passageway. This gauntlet referred to a military punishment in which a prisoner was forced to run or walk between two columns of troops as they struck him with clubs, heavy ropes, whips or leather straps. The practice was common in the British navy in the 17th century, but was also used by Native American tribes even earlier. Today, modern militaries use less painful versions of running the gauntlet as rites of passage, and sports teams even use them as conditioning drills. The phrase is also used figuratively for a variety of mental as well as physical ordeals, such as facing a barrage of criticism or political challenges.

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Here are some idioms about gloves:
iron hand (in a velvet glove)
lay a glove on (one)
it's time to take off the gloves
a cat in gloves catches no mice
take up the glove
throw down the glove


no glove, no love
slang If you don't wear a condom, there will be (or ought to be) no sex. The phrase can be variously used as a slogan, a piece of advice, or a protestation.
A: "Come on, baby, let's go to the bedroom." B: "No way—no glove, no love!"
A: "I've got a hot date with a girl I met at the bar last week!" B: "Good luck, dude. Just remember, no glove, no love!"
Whenever the college has some major campus-wide event, the student union always sets up a booth with the banner "No Glove, No Love" and gives out free condoms.


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idiot gloves
Mittens or gloves that are attached to one's sleeves by a length of yarn or string so as to prevent their being lost.
I always hated the idiot gloves my mom made me wear when I was a kid. They made me feel like such a dope!
See also: glove, idiot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
See also:
idiot mittens

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with kid gloves
kid gloves, to handle/treat with
treat (someone or something) with kid gloves
treat someone with kid gloves
handle (someone or something) with kid gloves
handle someone or something with kid gloves
handle with kid gloves
handle, treat, etc. somebody with kid gloves

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Fehdehandschuh (Fehde: „Privatkrieg“) wird in der deutschen Sprache in den Redensarten „Den Fehdehandschuh hinwerfen“ und „Den Fehdehandschuh aufnehmen/aufheben“ benutzt.

Bedeutung
„Jemandem den Fehdehandschuh hinwerfen“ bedeutet, ihn herauszufordern oder mit ihm Streit beginnen zu wollen. Von „Den Fehdehandschuh aufnehmen/aufheben“ spricht man, wenn jemand eine Herausforderung annimmt.

Herkunft
Entgegen landlaeufiger Meinung stammt die Bezeichnung Fehdehandschuh nicht aus dem Mittelalter. F;r jene Zeit ist zwar der Brauch des Hinwerfens und Aufnehmens eines Handschuhs zur Ansage und Annahme einer Fehde in Kreisen der Ritterschaft bekannt, doch war f;r die Rechtmaessigkeit einer solchen Fehde auch eine formelle Erklaerung der Fehde noetig.

Der Ausdruck als Zusammensetzung der Woerter Fehde und Handschuh entstand erst im 18. Jahrhundert, als es ueblich war, seinem Gegner einen Handschuh aus Stoff ins Gesicht zu schlagen, um ihn zu einem Ehrenduell herauszufordern.

Verwendung in der Popkultur
In der Episode „Duell bei Sonnenaufgang“ der Simpsons (Folge 5, Staffel 11, Episode 231), fordert der Hauptcharakter Homer mehrfach andere Figuren per Handschuh-Schlag zum Duell heraus.
Auf dem Album „Gottes Werk und Creutzfelds Beitrag“ aus dem Jahre 2000 der deutschen Hip-Hop-Formation Creutzfeld & Jakob, gibt es einen Titel namens „Fehdehandschuh“.
In der 9. Staffel, Folge 5 der Serie Big-Bang-Theory erlernen die Protagonisten das Fechten, hierbei wird Sheldon Cooper uebermuetig und fordert die anderen mehrfach ueber Handschuhschlag zum Duell heraus.

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jemandem den Handschuh hinwerfen jemanden herausfordern Der Ritter warf dem Grafen den Handschuh hin und forderte ihn so zum Duell.
den Handschuh aufnehmen eine Herausforderung annehmen Der Graf nahm den Handschuh auf und w;hlte den Ort, die Uhrzeit und die Waffen des Duells: Pistolen im Schlossgarten zum Morgengrauen.