Throw down the gauntlet
Throw down the gauntlet
to invite your rival or competitor to a challenge, e.g. a fight or competition, challenge, confront, defy, brave, face up to, dare, test, dispute, contest, object to, oppose:
When the inexperienced photographer threw down the gauntlet, the expect in photography did not have any other choice but to accept the challenge.
Antonyms
ask for trouble, accept an invitation to compete
