taking the bull by the horns
Facing challenges head-on
Taking the bull by the horns means confronting a difficult situation directly and decisively rather than avoiding it.
The image is of grabbing a dangerous animal by its most threatening feature—seizing control instead of retreating.
After months of delays, she finally took the bull by the horns and fired the contractor.
- actionProcess of doing
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- facing the musicAccepting responsibility for actions
- braveryBoldness before danger
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
audacity · courage · grasping the nettle · resolve · initiative · seizing the day · determination · nerve · boldness · stepping up to the plate · fortitude · decisiveness · assertiveness · biting the bullet · grit · proactivity · cutting to the chase · strategy
taking the bull by the hornsburying one's head in the sand
Ignoring obvious problems deliberately
beating around the bush · sidestepping · evading · turning a blind eye · sweeping under the rug
taking the bull by the hornsprocrastinating
Postponing what needs doing
dragging one's feet · dithering · hemming and hawing · hesitating · sitting on one's hands
taking the bull by the hornschickening out
Withdrawing from cowardice
backing down · caving in · getting cold feet · cowering · shrinking back