bring to bear assumptions

[keannu]

Isn't "bring something to bear on something" applied like "We must bring all our energies to bear on the task"? This "bring to bear" sounds awkward, and seems misapplied. What do you think?

st20)Every time we approach a problem, we bring to bear assumptions that limit our ability to conceive fresh solutions, but brilliant thinkers are always aware of the assumptions and are always happy to confront them...

 

[emsr2d2]

It's fine. If you split up the phrase and have "... we bring assumptions to bear that limit our ability ...", it makes the meaning less clear.

Your first example would be just as acceptable as "We must bring to bear all our energy to this task".

 

[keannu]

What does this "bear" mean in this phrase? "To contain or focus on" or don't I have think about it?
Do I only have to think of "bring to bear" as one unit?