/ˈɡɔːntlət/
gaunt·let
BrE /ˈɡɔːntlət/
NAmE /ˈɡɔːntlət/
a metal glove worn as part of a suit of armour by soldiers in the Middle Ages
a strong glove with a wide covering for the wrist, used for example when driving
motorcyclists with leather gauntlets
run the ˈgauntlet
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.
ORIGIN This phrase refers to an old army punishment where a man was forced to run between two lines of soldiers hitting him.
take up the ˈgauntlet
to accept sb’s invitation to fight or compete
ORIGIN In the Middle Ages a knight threw his gauntlet at the feet of another knight as a challenge to fight. If he accepted the challenge, the other knight would pick up the glove.
throw down the ˈgauntlet
to invite sb to fight or compete with you