Meaning of poke the bear | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To deliberately aggravate somebody, especially somebody in a position of power or authority.
   US, idiomatic
2. To deliberately anger Russia or the Russian government.
   idiomatic, slang

Examples

“Throughout my training I witnessed several doctors run out of town because their honesty and outspokenness began to poke the bear.”

“His advice to Zuckerberg, the Times later reported, was “Don’t poke the bear”—avoid incurring the wrath of Trump and his supporters.”

CEFR level