Idiom
loaded for bear
Meaning
Thoroughly equipped, as for a demanding task or confrontation.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Examples
“She arrived loaded for bear to win the debate.”
“He goes to the job interview loaded for bear with his portfolio.”
“The lawyer walked into the courtroom loaded for bear, carrying boxes of evidence to prove her client's innocence.”
“The health inspector arrived at the restaurant loaded for bear, carrying a long checklist and several tools to test the kitchen's cleanliness.”
“After the company refused to give him a refund, the customer called their support line loaded for bear with receipts and call logs.”
“Having anticipated every possible objection from the board of directors, the manager entered the meeting loaded for bear, ready to defend his proposal against any criticism.”
Examples
simple
“She arrived loaded for bear to win the debate.”
“He goes to the job interview loaded for bear with his portfolio.”
contextual
“The lawyer walked into the courtroom loaded for bear, carrying boxes of evidence to prove her client's innocence.”
“The health inspector arrived at the restaurant loaded for bear, carrying a long checklist and several tools to test the kitchen's cleanliness.”
“After the company refused to give him a refund, the customer called their support line loaded for bear with receipts and call logs.”
complex
“Having anticipated every possible objection from the board of directors, the manager entered the meeting loaded for bear, ready to defend his proposal against any criticism.”
Origin
The phrase alludes to the practice of equipping oneself with a firearm and ammunition of sufficient calibre to kill a large animal. The preparation required for such an encounter is distinguished by the weight of the shot, a logistical necessity when the alternative is being mauled by the disappointed subject of the hunt. The idiom entered the lexicon as a shorthand for this specific state of readiness.
Key words
Related idioms
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