take the bull by the horns
Address problems head-on
To take the bull by the horns is to confront a difficult situation directly and decisively rather than avoiding it.
The image is of grabbing a dangerous animal by its most threatening feature in order to control it.
Someone might take the bull by the horns by addressing a conflict head-on or tackling a daunting project without delay.
After months of procrastination, she finally took the bull by the horns and asked for a raise.
- carpe diemGrasp the present moment
- confrontFace squarely, address directly
- seize the dayEmbrace the present moment
- seize the momentAct on present opportunity
- faceHead's anterior surface
meet head on · grasp the nettle · address · get down to brass tacks · manage · action · tackle · proactivity · fortitude · bite the bullet · take the plunge · resolution · fearlessness · boldness · nerve · grit · audacity · no guts no glory
- farm idiomsmake hay while the sun shines, cream of the crop, put the cart before the horse, till the cows come home, buy the farm
- Animal Idiomsblind as a bat, brave as a lion, busy bee, copycat, dark horse
- couragebravery, resilience, fearlessness, boldness, courage
- Leadership idiomslead by example, take the reins, at the helm, call the shots, take charge
- phrases about braverylion heart, nerves of steel, no fear, bold as brass, stand your ground
take the bull by the hornsbury one's head in the sand
Avoid acknowledging uncomfortable truths
shy away from · dodge · evade · sidestep · turn a blind eye
take the bull by the hornsdrag one's feet
Deliberately slow progress
hem and haw · dither · vacillate · waffle · procrastinate
take the bull by the hornssit on one's hands
Choose inaction over involvement
go with the flow · let nature take its course · wait and see · do nothing · sit back