take the bear by the tooth

take the bear by the tooth

To subject oneself to danger or trouble. I really took the bear by the tooth by sneaking out of the house late at night. I think you're taking the bear by the tooth to drive in such torrential rain.
See also: bear, by, take, tooth
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • bear out
  • as much as the traffic will bear
  • traffic
  • bearing
  • bear cage
  • bear up
  • play dead
  • (as) hungry as a bear
  • hungry as a bear
  • gruff as a bear