to take the bull by the horns

Examples

• All

• If you need someone to take the bull by the horns, Ben's your guy.

  License to Wed (2007)

• Jonah is going to take the bull by the horns.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Sometimes you got to take the bull by the horns!

  The Chase (1994)

• It's up to you to take the bull by the horns.

  September (1987)

• - Only in America can a group of young people take the bull by the horns and make something happen.

  Rad (1986)

• The position of president means one must take the bull by the horns, so to speak.

  Blog text (30)

• You have to take the bull by the horns.

  Fiction book (2002)

• We have to take the bull by the horns and move.

  Blog text (33)

• We need to take the bull by the horns and organize.

  Blog text (5)

• You're the one who's taking the bull by the horns.

  Fiction book (1995)

Synonyms

C

to confront

vsto take the bull by the horns

359 4.4

Face a difficult problem or fear directly and bravely

is similar but often implies a stronger more forceful personal choice to act

F

to face up

vsto take the bull by the horns

• Informal

38 4.1

To accept and deal with a difficult situation directly and bravely

is focused more on accepting and coping rather than immediate bold action

F

to face head-on

vsto take the bull by the horns

9 4.2

Deal with a problem directly instead of avoiding it

focuses more on facing and accepting difficulty rather than only bold action

T

to take on the challenge

vsto take the bull by the horns

3 3.2

To accept a difficult task to test yourself

focuses on accepting responsibility rather than confronting immediately and boldly

G

to grab the bull by the horns

vsto take the bull by the horns

• Informal

1 6.3

Face a difficult problem directly and bravely

emphasizes boldness over showing careful control in a situation

G

to grasp the nettle

vsto take the bull by the horns

• Informal

1 8.2

Face a difficult problem directly and act firmly

highlights doing what must be done despite discomfort rather than dramatic boldness

B

to beard the lion in his den

vsto take the bull by the horns

• Informal

1 9.9

To confront a powerful person directly in their own place

is broader and may apply when the difficulty does not involve a powerful opponent

T

to take up the gauntlet

vsto take the bull by the horns

• Informal

1 8.1

To accept a public challenge to show you will compete

is about accepting a public challenge rather than showing bold immediate control

F

to fly at something head-on

vsto take the bull by the horns

7.0

To face a problem directly and try to solve it

is similar but emphasizes personal boldness alongside decisive action

T

to take the challenge head-on

vsto take the bull by the horns

• Informal

3.9

To face a difficult problem directly and work hard to solve it

stresses bold confrontation with immediate force rather than gradual handling

B

to brazen out

vsto take the bull by the horns

• Informal

8.1

To face a difficult or embarrassing situation boldly and without shame

is more about showing boldness without shame than actively solving the problem

Antonyms

A

to avoid

∞ 1.0

To stay away from something or not do it to stop something bad from happening

S

to shy away from

41 4.6

Avoid doing something because you feel afraid or unsure

How Bold

to take the bull by the horns

• Informal

4 5.6

to take the initiative

22 3.8

to face up

• Informal

38 4.1

to let it be

33 4.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology