noun
gauntlet
A difficult passage through danger or opposition.
The mayor faces a gauntlet of angry questions at every meeting.
Etymology
The Swedish word refers to running a lane between people delivering blows. The punishment’s name broadened to any passage through concentrated danger or opposition.
More examples
- Fans must run a gauntlet of ticket scalpers outside the stadium.
- The proposal survives a gauntlet of reviews before reaching the board.
- Leaving the courthouse, she pushes through a gauntlet of shouting protesters.
Forms
gauntlet · gauntlets