# have the tiger by the tail

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/have-the-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

- He has the tiger by the tail with this new project.
- She realized she had the tiger by the tail when the business deal became too complex to stop or finish.
- By accepting the leadership role during the crisis, he found he had the tiger by the tail, unable to retreat without causing a total collapse.

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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.