- Meaning
- This idiom describes being in a challenging, risky, or uncontrollable situation where one has taken on more than they can handle, likened to grasping a tiger’s tail—dangerous and difficult to release. It suggests being caught in a predicament with high stakes, often due to ambition or miscalculation, and is used in professional, personal, or adventurous contexts. The phrase carries a tense, cautionary tone, reflecting cultural fascination with bold risks and the consequences of overreaching, emphasizing the precarious balance between control and chaos.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in 19th-century Britain or America, inspired by the exotic imagery of tigers in colonial literature and circuses. An early use appears in an 1875 *New York Times* article, describing a politician ‘having a tiger by the tail’ in a risky venture. The idiom gained traction during the Victorian era, reflecting anxieties about imperial overreach, as seen in Rudyard Kipling’s *The Jungle Book* (1894). Its use grew in 20th-century American English, particularly in business and political contexts, and was popularized through journalism and adventure stories. The phrase’s vivid imagery and universal applicability ensured its spread across English-speaking cultures, especially in high-stakes scenarios.
- Variants
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- Have a tiger by the tail
- Hold a tiger by the tail
- Got a tiger by the tail
- Catch a tiger by the tail
- Examples
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- She’s got a tiger by the tail, managing a startup with no experience.
- He had a tiger by the tail, taking on the aggressive lawsuit without enough resources.
- Hold a tiger by the tail carefully—that merger could backfire spectacularly.
- They caught a tiger by the tail, launching a product in a volatile market.
- Got a tiger by the tail, he’s struggling to control the chaotic project team.
- She had a tiger by the tail, juggling two high-pressure jobs at once.
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