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stem the tide

to stop something from getting worse

In Headline Expressions

In more detail

(idiom) to stop or slow down the advance of something bad or unwanted, like a problem or difficulty that is spreading or getting worse

Examples

• The government is trying to stem the tide of rising crime in the city.
• New educational programs aim to stem the tide of school dropouts.

How to use stem the tide

This idiom is used when describing efforts to prevent something negative from spreading or worsening, such as crime, disease, or economic decline. It suggests active resistance against an overwhelming force or trend. The phrase conveys both the difficulty of the task and a determination to fight back, making it more emphatic than simple alternatives like 'stop' or 'prevent'.

Common phrases

• stem the tide of
• stem the tide against
• attempt to stem the tide
• managed to stem the tide
• stem the rising tide

Synonyms

stop the advance · hold back · check the spread · curb the problem · contain the situation

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'stem the tide of' without specifying what tide is being stemmed, making the sentence unclear; always specify what problem or negative situation is being addressed.

Nearby in Headline Expressions

a lightning rod, a political football, a silver lining, a dark horse, the court of public opinion, in the pipeline

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained