take the bull by the horns meaning?

Question

What is the meaning of "to take the bull by the horns" idiom?

Answer 1

 

Idiom Conjugations:

 

Answer 2

Gerund Form of the Idiom:

Taking the bull by the horns requires determination and courage.
 

Answer 3

Idiom Usage:

It is quite common to use this idiom with:

• "to want to".  "I want to take the bull by the horns but I am too lazy to try"
  
• "to need to".   "I need to take the bull by the horns and get the job done.  This room is a total mess."

 
This idiom has the same meaning as:
"to grab the bull by the horns"
 

Answer 4

Idiom Scenario 2:

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The factory floor is in total disarray.  The machines need repairs.  The workers are not working efficiently.  They are taking longer and longer coffee breaks.  Nobody is sweeping and taking out the garbage.  Nobody is taking charge of the situation.  The supervisor thinks to himself...

"I want to take the bull by the horns.  I want to organize and increase the production of this factory, not to mention safety"

The supervisor is not sure if he should take charge.  He is unsure if his manager will approve.  He is not sure if he has enough respect and authority over the workers.  Therefore, the supervisor only wants to take the bull by the horns.

Answer 5

Idiom Scenario 1:

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Johnny is a 14 year old teenage boy.  His bedroom is a mess.  There are dirty dishes and dirty clothes everywhere.

"Johnny needs to take the bull by the horns."

Johnny needs to decide to get to work and clean his room.  He needs to take charge in a forceful way and determine to get the job done.

Answer 6

Idiom Definition:

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"to take the bull by the horns"

to manage a situation or problem using strength and determination
to take charge of a situation, usually forcefully and with vigor, often with the accompanying responsibility
 

Synonyms:
administer, aggressive, authority, bull, bullish, charge, clout, command, commanding, compel, compelling, confident, confidence, dominate, dominant, direct, dynamic, force, forceful, guts, gutsy, manage, management, oversee, potent, quarterback, rule, run, subject, superintend, supervise, supreme, sway, take, weight  
 

This man is literally taking the bull by the horns. - - - - ->