单词 | to ride a tiger |
释义 | > as lemmasto ride a tiger a. In proverbial phrases: to ride a tiger and variants [after the Chinese proverb ‘He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount’ (W. Scarborough Coll. Chinese Proverbs (1875) xvi. 388)] : to take on a responsibility or embark on a course of action which subsequently cannot safely be abandoned; to have a tiger by the tail and variants: to catch a Tartar (see Tartar n.2 4). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > face danger [verb (intransitive)] > risk oneself > run or take risks dicec1440 to put one's finger in the fire1546 hazardc1550 venture1560 to jeopard a joint1563 to venture a joint1570 to run (also take) a (also the) risk (also risks)1621 danger1672 risk1767 gamble1802 to ride a tiger1902 to stick (also put) one's neck out1926 to lead with one's chin1949 to tickle the dragon('s tail)1964 the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)] > attempt more than one can do to row past (also beyond) one's reach1557 to have a tiger by the tail1972 1902 A. R. Colquhoun Mastery of Pacific xvi. 388 These colonies are..for her [sc. France] the tiger which she has mounted (to use the Chinese phrase), and which she can neither manage nor get rid of. 1940 Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Va.) 27 Nov. 1/7 I believe that Hitler is riding a tiger in trying to keep all Europe under control by sheer force. 1969 Guardian 7 July 9/5 All African politics to-day is concerned with the art of riding this terrible tiger [sc. tribalism]. 1972 ‘E. Lathen’ Murder without Icing (1973) iii. 30 Convulsions..could be expected... The Sloan Guaranty Trust..might well have a tiger by the tail. 1979 P. Driscoll Pangolin xii. 101 You're taking on an organization with..reserves you know nothing about. How do you know you won't be catching a tiger by the tail? 1981 W. H. Hallahan Trade iii. 79 It was done. They were all riding the tiger now. < as lemmas |
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