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Meaning of have the tiger by the tail | Babel Free

Verb CEFR C2

Definitions

To be in a difficult or dangerous situation in which one ideally should not remain, but from which one cannot withdraw.

idiomatic

Examples

“"We have the tiger by the tail," Paul whispered. "We can't go down, can't land…and I don't think I can lift us out of this. We'll have to ride it out."”

CEFR level

C2

Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.

See also

have the time have the whole bakery have the wind up have the wolf by the ear have the world by the tail have tickets on oneself