Idioms

take the bull by the horns

This page is about the idiom take the bull by the horns

Meaning

If you take the bull by the horns, you deal with a problem or a challenge in a direct and fearless way.

For example

  • Pauline wasn't happy with the manager's decision, so she took the bull by the horns and demanded to see him in order to discuss the matter.

  • The magazine's sales were falling, so the owner took the bull by the horns and replaced the editor, had the layout redesigned, and brought in new writers.

Quick Quiz

The team wasn't playing well, so the coach took the bull by the horns and

a. sacked several senior players

b. told everyone he was doing his best

c. asked the players to try a bit harder
a) sacked several senior players b) told everyone he was doing his best c) asked the players to try a bit harder

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey