To take the bull by the horns
Example: She decided to take the bull by the horns and start her own business.
Definition
"To take the bull by the horns" means to confront a difficult or challenging situation directly and with determination, rather than avoiding it. For example, when she decided to take the bull by the horns, she started her own business despite the risks involved.
Etymology
The phrase "to take the bull by the horns" originates from the literal act of grabbing a bull's horns to control it, symbolizing courage and direct action. It dates back to at least the 16th century, reflecting how handling a dangerous animal required boldness, which transferred metaphorically to facing tough problems head-on.
Learn to use this expression actively
"To take the bull by the horns" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 106 commonly used expressions.
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