rear its (ugly) head
rear its (ugly) head
Of a difficult, unpleasant problem, to present itself and force people to deal with it. Fundamentalist extremism has been rearing its head all around the world over the last couple years. I can't believe tax day is already rearing its ugly head again.
See also: head, rear
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
rear its ugly head
Fig. [for something unpleasant] to appear or become obvious after lying hidden. Jealousy reared its ugly head and destroyed their marriage. The question of money always rears its ugly head in matters of business.
See also: head, rear, ugly
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
rear its ugly head
Appear. This phrase is used only of something undesirable or unpleasant, as in The interview went very well until a question about his academic record reared its ugly head . This expression was first recorded in slightly different form in Anthony Trollope's Barchester Towers (1857): "Rebellion had already reared her hideous head."
See also: head, rear, ugly
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
rear its head
orraise its head
COMMON If something unpleasant rears its head or raises its head, it starts to appear or be active, often when it had stopped or been hidden for a period. Now the same ugly forces of racial hatred are beginning to rear their heads again. The familiar pattern of violence is raising its head once again in the region. Note: People often say that something unpleasant rears or raises its ugly head. We will not allow hooliganism to rear its ugly head again.
See also: head, rear
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
rear its (ugly) head
(of an unpleasant matter) emerge; present itself.See also: head, rear
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
rear/raise its (ugly) ˈhead
(used of something considered unpleasant) appear again after being hidden or forgotten: Political corruption has reared its ugly head again. Famine has raised its head again in many parts of the world.See also: head, raise, rear
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- rear its head
- rear its ugly head
- rear/raise its head
- raise its (ugly) head
- come to a bad end
- come to a bad/sticky end
- learn (something) the hard way
- learn the hard way
- get (something) over with
- get it over with