horns Идиома

pull in your horns

not be so aggressive, stop attacking or citicizing Father's advice is to pull in your horns or you could be dismissed.

take the bull by the horns

take decisive action and not worry about the results My aunt decided to take the bull by the horns and begin preparations for the family reunion.

pull in one's horns

1．reduce one's boast；calm down from a quarrel收敛言语；停上吵架
He pulled in his horns when he realized that his boasting was not impressing me．当他意识到他的自吹对我不起作用时，就缩回去了。
2．reduce spending or activity缩减开支或活动
After the business failed，father had to pull in his horns．经营失败后，父亲只得缩减开支。

on the horns of a dilemma

Idiom(s): on the horns of a dilemma

Theme: ALTERNATIVES

having to decide between two things, people, etc.
• Mary found herself on the horns of a dilemma. She didn't know which to choose.
• I make up my mind easily. I'm not on the horns of a dilemma very often.

lock horns

Idiom(s): lock horns (with sb)

Theme: ARGUMENT

to get into an argument with someone. (Informal.)
• Let's settle this peacefully. I don't want to lock horns with the boss.
• The boss doesn't want to lock horns either.

seize the bull by the horns

Idiom(s): take the bull by the horns AND seize the bull by the horns

Theme: DETERMINATION

to meet a challenge directly.
• If we are going to solve this problem, someone is going to have to take the bull by the horns.
• This threat isn't going to go away by itself. We are going to seize the bull by the horns and settle this matter once and for all.

Grab the bulls by its horns

If you grab (take) the bull by its horns, you deal head-on and directly with a problem.

Horns of a dilemma

If you are on the horns of a dilemma, you are faced with two equally unpleasant options and have to choose one.

Mess with a bull, you get the horns

If you do something stupid or dangerous, you can get hurt.

Take the bull by its horns

Taking a bull by its horns would be the most direct but also the most dangerous way to try to compete with such an animal. When we use the phrase in everyday talk, we mean that the person we are talking about tackles their problems directly and is not worried about any risks involved.

bed of thorns|bed|thorn|thorns

n. phr. A thoroughly unhappy time or difficult situation. I'm sorry I changed jobs; my new one turned out to be a bed of thorns. See: BED OF NAILS.

draw in one's horns|draw|horns|pull|pull in one's

v. phr., informal 1. To reduce your boasts; calm down from a quarrel; back down on a promise. He said he could beat any man there single-handed, but he pulled in his horns when Jack came forward. 2. To cut back from one's usual way of living; reduce spending or activities; save. After the business failed, Father had to pull in his horns. As one advances in years, it is prudent to pull in one's horns more and more as to physical activity.

horns of a dilemma|horn|horns

n. phr. Two choices possible in a situation in which neither is wanted. Usually used after "on". Joe found himself on the horns of a dilemma; if he went to work, he'd miss seeing Mary; if he stayed out, he'd he too broke to take her anywhere.

take the bull by the horns|bull|horns|take

v. phr., informal To take definite action and not care about risks; act bravely in a difficulty. He decided to take the bull by the horns and demand a raise in salary even though it might cost him his job.
Compare: TAKE THE BIT IN ONE'S MOUTH, TAKE THE LAW INTO ONE'S OWN HANDS.

draw in one's horns

draw in one's horns
see pull in one's horns.

horns of a dilemma, on the

horns of a dilemma, on the
Faced with two equally undesirable alternatives. For example, I'm on the horns of a dilemma: if I sell the house now I have no place to live, but if I wait I may not get as good a price. This term was first recorded about 1600, but the idea of being caught on either one horn or the other (of an animal) was already expressed in Roman times.