lion's den
noun
: a place or state of extreme disadvantage, antagonism, or hostility
a young reporter thrown into the lion's den
Example Sentences
He knew that he would be facing an angry crowd, but he entered the lion's den without hesitating.
Recent Examples on the Web Most recently, Scott disclosed to the Frías sisters, around the time of her appearance on their ongoing IG Live With series on Instagram, that she was motivated to get on the lion's den show after seeing their June 2021 episode air. 
C. Shardae Jobson, Allure, 5 Apr. 2022 Ricky knows that when the studio is packed with comics of their ilk the room becomes a lion's den with comedic murder assassins. Scott King, Forbes, 23 June 2021 Senator Elizabeth Warren is inviting one of her more vocal critics to join her in the lion's den. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2021 There were agents who sent actresses into the lion's den over and over again, as well as Weinstein lieutenants who summoned a taxi after each harrowing hotel meeting — nearly all of whom still work in significant roles in the industry. Tatiana Siegel, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2020 Quique Sanchez Flores has stepped back into the lion's den, where no manager would normally dare to return. SI.com, 7 Sep. 2019 Each component of the Lincoln Center complex got its own architect but Wallace Harrison, who designed the Opera House, was given the extra burden of being in charge of the whole complex, a kind of architectural ringmaster thrust into a lion's den. Kenneth Turan, latimes.com, 15 Mar. 2018 By seeking a deal in Russia, Trump's associates may have unwittingly wandered right into the lion's den. Cristina Alesci, CNN, 6 Sep. 2017 See More
C. Shardae Jobson, Allure, 5 Apr. 2022 Ricky knows that when the studio is packed with comics of their ilk the room becomes a lion's den with comedic murder assassins. Scott King, Forbes, 23 June 2021 Senator Elizabeth Warren is inviting one of her more vocal critics to join her in the lion's den. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2021 There were agents who sent actresses into the lion's den over and over again, as well as Weinstein lieutenants who summoned a taxi after each harrowing hotel meeting — nearly all of whom still work in significant roles in the industry. Tatiana Siegel, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2020 Quique Sanchez Flores has stepped back into the lion's den, where no manager would normally dare to return. SI.com, 7 Sep. 2019 Each component of the Lincoln Center complex got its own architect but Wallace Harrison, who designed the Opera House, was given the extra burden of being in charge of the whole complex, a kind of architectural ringmaster thrust into a lion's den. Kenneth Turan, latimes.com, 15 Mar. 2018 By seeking a deal in Russia, Trump's associates may have unwittingly wandered right into the lion's den. Cristina Alesci, CNN, 6 Sep. 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
1680, in the meaning defined above