He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount.

He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount.

proverb One engaging in a risky or dangerous endeavor may find it easier to continue with it rather than facing the consequences of attempting to quit or abandon it. It has now become obvious that our country has been riding a tiger with our military intervention in this region—he who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount. Of course those two are still carrying on behind their spouses' backs. He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount! A: "That war dragged on for 30 years because no one had the political appetite to end it." B: "I'm not surprised—he who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount."

See also: afraid, he, ride, tiger, to, who

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount.

Prov. Sometimes it is more dangerous to stop doing a dangerous thing than it is to continue doing it. Jill: You shouldn't take out another loan. You're already too far in debt. Jane: If I don't take out a loan, I can't make the payments on the loans I already have. You know how it is—she who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount.

See also: afraid, dismount, he, ride, tiger, to, who

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.