horn (redirected from horn-like)

blow one's own horn and toot one's own horn

Fig. to brag. Gary sure likes to toot his own horn. "I hate to blow my own horn," said Bill, "but I am always right."

See also: blow

come out (of) the little end of the horn

Rur. to lose a great deal; to end with less than one started with. (See also end up with the short end of the stick.) After the stock market crash, plenty of folks came out the little end of the horn.

See also: come, end, little, out

draw in one's horns and pull in one's horns

Fig. to back down from a fight. For a minute it looked like they were gonna start sluggin' each other, but then they drew in their horns. We tried to calm him down and get him to pull in his horns.

See also: and, draw, pull

horn in (on something)

Fig. to attempt to participate in something without invitation or consent. Are you trying to horn in on my conversation with Sally? I hope you are not trying to horn in on our party.

horn in (on something)

Fig. to attempt to participate in something without invitation or consent. Are you trying to horn in on my conversation with Sally? I hope you are not trying to horn in on our party.

lock horns (with someone)

Fig. to get into an argument with someone. Let's settle this peacefully. I don't want to lock horns with the boss. The boss doesn't want to lock horns either.

See also: lock

on the horns of a dilemma

Fig. having to decide between two things, people, etc. Mary found herself on the horns of a dilemma. She didn't know which to choose. I make up my mind easily. I'm not on the horns of a dilemma very often.

See also: dilemma

take the bull by the horns

Fig. to confront a problem head-on and deal with it openly. It's time to take the bull by the horns and get this job done.

See also: bull, take

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be on the horns of a dilemma

to be unable to decide which of two things to do because either could have bad results How can we decide which hospital to close? We are on the horns of a dilemma.

See also: dilemma

blow your own trumpet  (British & Australian) also blow/toot your own horn (American & Australian)

to tell other people how good and successful you are Anyone will tell you she's one of the best journalists we've got, although she'd never blow her own horn.

See also: blow

draw/pull in your horns

to act in a more careful way than you did before, especially by spending less money He'll have to draw in his horns, now that he's lost his job.

See lock horns

See also: draw

lock horns

if two people lock horns, they argue about something (often + over ) The mayor and her deputy locked horns over the plans for the new road.

See also: lock

take the bull by the horns

to do something difficult in a determined and confident way Why don't you take the bull by the horns and tell him to leave?

See shoot the breeze

See also: bull, take

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horn in (on somebody/something)

to interrupt or try to become involved when you are not welcome George worried that his brother would try to horn in on the company's success.

Related vocabulary: in on something

lock horns (with somebody)

to argue with someone in a very determined way In her new movie she plays a middle-aged college student who locks horns with her professor.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of two fighting animals such as deer whose horns lock together

See also: lock

on the horns of a dilemma

unable to decide between two things because either could bring bad results Nonprofit groups are often caught on the horns of a dilemma – they have to satisfy their donors, but at the same time, they need to attract new donors.

See also: dilemma

take the bull by the horns

to forcefully attack a difficult situation I took the bull by the horns and confronted him about his drinking.

Etymology: based on the idea that holding a bull (male cow) by its horns is a brave and direct action

See also: bull, take