to grab life by the balls

Examples

• All

• If you want to be successful, you need to grab life by the balls and take some risks.

• So we got to grab life by the balls and go for it.

  The Living End (1992)

• I love to see young people grab life by the balls and conquer their money.

  Blog text (24)

• After facing many setbacks, she decided to grab life by the balls and pursue her dreams.

• It's time to grab life by the balls and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.

Synonyms

T

to take hold of

vsto grab life by the balls

21 3.1

Grab something or someone with your hands

is metaphorical and wider, focusing on bold personal control and accepting risks

G

to grab the bull by the horns

vsto grab life by the balls

• Informal

1 6.3

Face a difficult problem directly and bravely

is broader and covers taking control and embracing risk beyond single problems

G

to grab life by the horns

vsto grab life by the balls

• Informal

7.4

To be brave and take control of your life

focuses more on embracing risk and wide personal opportunities

G

to grab life by the throat

vsto grab life by the balls

• Informal

8.5

To act quickly and boldly to make the most of life

has a wider sense of taking control and embracing risk in personal choices

Antonyms

S

to shy away from

41 4.6

Avoid doing something because you feel afraid or unsure

W

to watch the world go by

• Informal

2 4.6

To spend time looking at people and things happening around you without taking part

How Boldly

to grab life by the balls

• Offensive

1 9.9

to grab life by the throat

• Informal

8.5

to grab life by the horns

• Informal

7.4

to seize the opportunity

10 3.9

to take the initiative

22 3.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology