Question of the Day #965

After a stalemate lasting nearly 48 hours, the authorities decided to take the bull by the horns and went in with all guns blazing to free the hostages.

From the 2nd paragraph of this article at Dawn.com.

  上記の文で、take the bull by the hornsの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "take the bull by the horns" mean?

  答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 牛の角を捕まえる
2. 恐れずに危険［難問］に立ち向かう

問題文の意味は当然2番目の訳ですが、このイディオムはもともとロデオの牛を倒す競技から来ています。
また、grab the bull by the hornsと言うこともあります。
 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to deal with a difficult situation in a very direct or confident way

   

Examples

• She decided to take the bull by the horns and try to solve the problem without any further delay.
• Why don't you take the bull by the horns and tell him to leave?
• I took the bull by the horns and confronted him about his mistreatment of the workers.
• This is the time to take the bull by the horns and tackle the complex issues of finance.
• Now is the time for the Chancellor to take the bull by the horns and announce a two per cent cut in interest rates.

   

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