have a tiger by the tail

have a tiger by the tail

 and have got a tiger by the tail; have a bear by the tail

Fig. to have become associated with something powerful and potentially dangerous; to have a very difficult problem to solve. You have a tiger by the tail. You bit off more than you could chew. You've had a bear by the tail ever since you agreed to finish that big project.

See also: have, tail, tiger

have (or catch) a tiger by the tail

= ride a tiger.

A similar difficulty confronts those who have a wolf by the ears (see wolf).

1979 Peter Driscoll Pangolin You're taking on an organization with reserves you know nothing about. How do you know you won't be catching a tiger by the tail?

See also: have, tail, tiger

have a tiger by the tail

tv. to have become associated with something powerful and potentially dangerous. (Have got can replace have.) You have a tiger by the tail. You bit off more than you could chew.

See also: have, tail, tiger