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take the bull by the horns

To confront a difficulty, rather than avoiding it.

Etymology:

  • Daring bullfighters who were known as matadors used various tactics to seize and wrestle them; though seizing bulls by the horns is considered to be one of the most effective ways of doing it from many centuries. Rodeos and ranches also experience similar actions and results. This act of bravery is now associated with the life of a person. “Bull” is now mainly related to the problems or challenges of life.
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“

He took the bull by the horns and reprogrammed the entire mess.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Modified by TriplePurple on January 10, 2024

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to take the bull by the horns

take something as readtake the fifthtake the game totake the curetake the caketake the fieldtake the baittake the bitter with the sweettake the flakTake the Bitter with the Sweettake the counttake the biscuittake the counttake something in one's stride

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    "take the bull by the horns." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/take-the-bull-by-the-horns_7308>.

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