verb
beard
To confront someone boldly or directly.
She beards the director in his office over unpaid wages.
Etymology
The older noun names facial hair. The confronting verb uses the beard as an image of the person faced directly, suggesting a challenge delivered boldly to someone’s face.
More examples
- Few employees dare to beard the boss about unfair rules.
- The reporter bearded the mayor with questions about the missing funds.
- Bearding the landlord in person takes more courage than sending a complaint.
Forms
beard · beards · bearded · bearding