mess with the bull (and you) get the horns

mess with the bull (and you) get the horns

If you anger, irritate, or provoke someone enough, you will induce some hostile retaliation or emotional reaction. A: "Did you really yell at Stan today?" B: "I did, after I overheard him complaining about me to other people. Mess with the bull and you get the horns!" Would you leave me alone, you jerk? Mess with the bull, get the horns—consider that your one and only warning.

See also: bull, get, horn, mess

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