# have a tiger by the tail

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/have-a-tiger-by-the-tail
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be in a difficult or dangerous situation in which one ideally should not remain, but from which one cannot withdraw.

## Examples

- I have a tiger by the tail with this new project.
- He took on the massive company merger, but now he realizes he has a tiger by the tail.
- By involving himself in such a volatile political scandal, the senator soon discovered he had a tiger by the tail and could not easily withdraw.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.