: to deal with a difficult situation in a very direct or confident way She decided to take the bull by the horns and try to solve the problem without any further delay.
Where does the phrase take the bull by the horns come from?
This expression probably originated in the American West where it was a common, but dangerous, practice to wrestle with steers. This was not only done for entertainment at rodeos but was part of the everyday working life of ranchers and cowhands throughout the west.
What does the idiom until the cows come home mean?
Definition of till/until the cows come home
informal. : for a very long time They'll be arguing about this till the cows come home.
What does it mean to lead a dogs life?
lead a dog's life in American English
to have an unhappy or harassed existence. He maintained that he led a dog's life in the army.
What is the sentence for taking a bull by the horn?
Meaning: v. face a difficulty and grapple with it without avoiding it. 1 Nora decided to take the bull by the horns and organize things for herself. 2 Now is the time for the Chancellor to take the bull by the horns and announce a two per cent cut in interest rates.
17 related questions foundWhat does paying through the nose mean?
Definition of pay through the nose
To pay unreasonably high prices: “If you visit any major city these days, you had better be prepared to pay through the nose for a hotel room.”
What is the meaning of a fish out of water?
A person away from his or her usual environment or activities. For example, Using a computer for the first time, Carl felt like a fish out of water, or On a hiking trail, Nell was a fish out of water. This expression alludes to the fact that fish cannot survive for long on dry land. [ Late 1300s]
What is the meaning of I smell something fishy?
Be suspect or suspicious, as in His explanation definitely smells fishy; my guess is that he's lying. This idiom alludes to the fact that fresh fish have no odor but stale or rotten ones do. [ Early 1800s]
What's the meaning of grin and bear it?
Definition of grin and bear it
: to accept something that one does not like because there is no choice I don't agree with their decision, but all I can do is grin and bear it.
What does the expression dead in the water mean?
Unable to function or move; inoperable. For example, Without an effective leader, our plans for expansion are dead in the water. Originally referring to a crippled ship, this colloquialism was soon applied more broadly.
What is the meaning of hit the hay in idioms?
to go to one's bed in order to sleep. It's been a great evening, but I'm ready to hit the hay.
What does pay your own way mean?
pay (one's) own way
To be responsible for one's own financial obligations. I appreciate the offer to help with my tuition, but I can pay my own way! She's paid her own way her entire life, getting a job from as young as 15 to start saving up for college.
Where does the phrase down and out come from?
Lacking funds or prospects; destitute, penniless. For example, After losing his job, car, and home, he was completely down and out. This term probably originated in boxing, where it alludes to the fighter who is knocked down and stays down for a given time, thereby losing the bout.
How do you grab life by the horns?
So if you want to grab life by the horns, it's time to take some risks.
...
- Lean Towards Your Fears. “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” — ...
- Reach Out To Those Further Along The Path. “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take.” — ...
- Life It Up. ...
- Listen To Your Heart. ...
- Embrace failure.
What are the horns?
A horn is a permanent pointed projection on the head of various animals that consists of a covering of keratin and other proteins surrounding a core of live bone. Horns are distinct from antlers, which are not permanent.
What means look up to someone?
Definition of look up to
: to respect and admire (someone) I've always looked up to my older brother. The kids really look up to their coach.
What does spilling the beans mean?
Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, as in You can count on little Carol to spill the beans about the surprise. In this colloquial expression, first recorded in 1919, spill means “divulge,” a usage dating from the 1500s.
Why do we say hit the sack?
Hit the hay and hit the sack are two idioms that mean to go to bed. The assumption is that hit the hay and hit the sack come from the fact that mattresses used to consist of cloth sacks stuffed with hay.
What does scratching the surface mean?
Investigate or treat something superficially, as in This feed-the-hungry program only scratches the surface of the problem, or Her survey course barely scratches the surface of economic history.
What does I got skeletons in my closet mean?
Definition of skeletons in the/someone's closet
informal. : something bad or embarrassing that happened in someone's past and that is kept secret He asked if she had any skeletons in her closet that might affect her political campaign.
What does my blood is boiling mean?
Definition of make someone's blood boil
: to make someone very angry His hate-filled speeches make my blood boil!
What is the meaning of digging your own grave?
Definition of dig one's own grave
: to behave in a way that will cause one to lose or fail The coach dug his own grave when he publicly insulted the team's owner.
What does stuck it out mean?
transitive very informalto continue doing something difficult or unpleasant to the end. stick it out: It was a tough course, but we stuck it out. Synonyms and related words. To continue something, or to continue to do something.
What does couldnt bear mean?
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English can't bear somethingspoken a) to be so upset about something that you feel unable to accept it or let it happen SYN can't stand Please don't leave me. I couldn't bear it.
