Definitions

take the bull by the horns

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buckle down v.
cross the Rubicon v.
face v.
run the gauntlet v.

VERB

buckle down

Synonyms

WEAK

address apply oneself attend to bend concentrate on dedicate oneself to devote oneself to exert oneself get serious give give oneself over to keep close to keep one's mind on knuckle down launch into occupy oneself with pitch in plunge into put one's hand to the plow put one's nose to the grindstone set to swing into action throw turn

Antonyms

WEAK

be lazy ignore relax

VERB

cross the Rubicon

Synonyms

WEAK

bite the bullet choose one's fate jump in with both feet leap into the breach leave a crossroads make one's move pass the Rubicon prendre la balle au bond take for better or worse take the plunge

VERB

face

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allow challenge confront deal with encounter endure experience fight meet oppose risk run into suffer take

STRONG

abide accost affront bear beard brace brave brook contend countenance court cross dare defy eyeball resist stand stomach submit sustain swallow tolerate venture withstand

WEAK

be confronted by bit the bullet cope with fly in face of go up against grapple with make a stand square off take it take on tell off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist avoid disallow discontinue dodge help hold keep refuse reject support surrender yield

STRONG

disapprove evade give in give up halt hide ignore leave resist shun stop veto

WEAK

back retreat run withdraw

VERB

run the gauntlet

Synonyms

WEAK

be a target be a whipping boy come to grips with court disaster face criticism face one's punishment go in harm's way go through fire and water march up to the cannon's mouth meet head-on take one's life in one's hands take potshots

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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take the bull by the horns

"We really need the government to take the bull by the horns and start tackling the food and drink industry."

From BBC ● May 16, 2026

You have to learn as you go, and sometimes just take the bull by the horns.

From New York Times ● Dec. 1, 2015

"To me, it's an opportunity for somebody to stand up, step up and take the bull by the horns," Matheny said about available options, including candidates down in the minor leagues.

From Reuters ● Apr. 27, 2015

Samsa decided to take the bull by the horns.

From The New Yorker ● Oct. 21, 2013

These fellows consider us as snobs, because we don't take the bull by the horns.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 58, Number 360, October 1845 by Various

take the bull by the horns

Example Sentences

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