Related Terms:
- Catch a Tartar: This predecessor of “tiger by the tail” means catching something far more formidable than expected. Imagine catching an expert warrior when you were only expecting a minor scuffle.
- Bite off more than you can chew: Ever feel like your mouth is about to explode from trying to bite a burger that’s just too darn big? Yeah, that’s this idiom, sans the emotional chewing over.
- In over one’s head: This phrase transforms the act of plunging into deep waters without mastery of swimming into an apt metaphor for taking on too much.
Synonyms:
- Take on a Herculean task
- Tackle a behemoth
- Wrestle with a lion
Antonyms:
- Smooth sailing
- Easy peasy lemon squeezy
- Walk in the park
Humor-filled Quotes:
- “I once took the job ‘Project Everest’ just for a small financial audit. Turns out, it was called ‘Everest’ for a very good reason.” - Anonymous Accountant
Proverbs:
- “He who leaps for the sky may fall, it’s true. But he may also fly.” — Anonymous
Literature References:
- Murder Without Icing by Emma Lathen: A mystery where financial tangles turn thorny enough to be compared to taming tigers.
- Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert: Casually takes on emotional excavations, leading to self-enlightenment that likens taming a series of internal tigers.
Song Suggestions:
- “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor: The anthem for when you’ve got that whole tiger-based challenge on your hands.
- “Wild Horses” by Rolling Stones: Sometimes, our tiger is actually a herd of untamed steeds, pulling us in a million directions.
Movie Picks:
- Life of Pi (2012): Where literal tiger battles on a lifeboat mirror the metaphorical thrashing of daunting challenges.
- Kung Fu Panda (2008): Even a fluffy panda taking on formidable foes resonates with the inner battle of a ‘tiger by the tail’ scenario.
### Which idiom means you've taken on something too difficult?
- [x] A tiger by the tail
- [ ] A duck by the pond
- [ ] A cat on the roof
- [ ] A fish in the barrel
> **Explanation:** "A tiger by the tail" signifies taking on a challenge too formidable to manage, unlike the other nonsensical options.
### "Catch a Tartar" means:
- [x] Catching something far more formidable than expected
- [ ] Catching a cold in the Tartar sauce aisle
- [ ] Fishing without bait
- [ ] Catching a dream in a jar
> **Explanation:** "Catch a Tartar" is an older term meaning to capture something exceedingly difficult or unmanageable, unlike those fishy and dreamy statements.
Remember: Life’s roaring challenges and formidable foes are but stepping stones to the grandeur within one’s own courage and spirit. Embrace them—tame your tiger!
With endless fascination for language and life’s roaring adventures, P. A. Playfulwords
September 2023
