gauntlet

Universal Words noun 1 a metal glove worn as part of a suit of ARMOUR by soldiers in the Middle Ages 2 a strong glove with a wide covering for the wrist, used for example when driving: motorcyclists with leather gauntlets IDIOMS run the gauntlet to be criticized or attacked by a lot of people, especially a group of people that you have to walk through: Some of the witnesses had to run the gauntlet of television cameras and reporters. take up the gauntlet to accept sb's invitation to fight or compete: His Republican rival may be expected to take up the gauntlet. throw down the gauntlet to invite sb to fight or compete with you: She has thrown down the gauntlet to the newspaper by accusing it of libel.