show your teeth
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show (one's) teeth
To display an angry, violent, and/or threatening reaction to or against something or someone, as does a dog or wolf when threatened. I will show my teeth to anyone who tries to take away my land. We seemed to be getting along just fine, but she suddenly showed her teeth when I brought up politics.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
show your teeth
If a person or organization shows their teeth, they show that they have the power or are able to fight or defend themselves. The financial services authority appears to be showing its teeth. We need to show our teeth if we are going to solve the problems we have been experiencing.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
show your teeth
reveal your strength; be aggressive. BritishFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
show your ˈteeth
(British English) do something that shows that you are able to act aggressively and use your power in a situation if it is necessary: Up until now the police have been very patient with the strikers, but today they really showed their teeth.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017