gauntlet

"Oh, I bet you really laid down the gauntlet, Joe. I bet you walked in there and let him have it," Stewart joked.

A talisman that is going to throw the gauntlet at the Springboks.

Depth is always the key to surviving the gauntlet.

Patients spoke of pinballing from one neighborhood to another as the front line shifts, running a gauntlet of checkpoints defended by fighters who demand money, steal phones and sometimes open fire.

Movie stars, however, are still forced to run the promotional gauntlet, taking part in the endless junket interviews and red carpet appearances written into their contracts.