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"Take the bull by the horns": the meaning of phraseology, etymology, antonyms and synonyms

When an indefinite, sluggish and incomprehensible situation develops and it is necessary to somehow mobilize and resolve everything, one can hear the following expression: "it's time to take the bull by the horns." The phrase is stable and fairly common in Russian colloquial speech. What does it mean, what are the rules of use, and also the synonyms of the expression? Let's consider next in order.

Value

There are two main contexts for using the phrase "take the bull by the horns". The meaning of phraseological means implies: the transition directly to a case or subject of conversation or the beginning of decisive and energetic actions in the desired direction.

Examples:

  1. The teacher gives a lot of theory of English grammar, you need to take the bull by the horns and go directly to practice.
  2. It seems that this project will never begin. It's time to take the bull by the horns and run a trial version by the end of the week .

Both in the first and in the second example there is a situation in which the speaker is dissatisfied. He seeks to change it and expresses it with the help of the stable phrase "take the bull by the horns". The meaning of phraseology is figurative. He helps to saturate speech with emotions and express the speaker's personal attitude to the situation.

Etymology

Phraseology is a lexically indivisible and stable wording by composition and structure. It performs the functions of a separate token with an independent meaning, as in the case of the expression "take the bull by the horns". The meaning of phraseology is understandable only through such a combination of words. The sum of their individual values can be quite different.

The image of this phraseology follows from the idea of traditional methods of pacifying bulls, known even from ancient Greek legends. To cope with a strong and uncontrolled animal, it was necessary to act actively, resolutely, swiftly, so as not to be a victim.

The second possible variant of the origin of phraseology is associated with arable craft. Earlier, for the cultivation of land used bulls, and not horses. They were put on the furrow, holding the horns with ropes and shafts. When the animal began to react, it was necessary to react quickly and return it to the desired direction. To control the bull also required courage and determination.

Synonyms and antonyms

Depending on the context of use, you can choose to phraseology "take the bull by the horns" synonymous with "off the bat" or "rolled up your sleeves." A similar, but not identical, meaning is the expression "the ice has started moving."

Examples of antonyms are much greater:

  • Waiting for the sea weather.
  • Pour from empty to empty.
  • To go with the flow.
  • After the rain on Thursday.
  • Break the water in a mortar.
  • To talk teeth.
  • Wash hands.
  • In an hour, a teaspoonful .

Imagery, vivid expressions enrich the speech and make it more emotional and individualized, as in the case with the phrase "take the bull by the horns". The meaning of phraseology is most fully revealed in the examples of use. The expression is actively used both in colloquial speech, correspondence, and in art works. It has a number of analogues in foreign languages, for example, take the bull by the horns in English.

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