When there is an uncertain, sluggish and incomprehensible situation and you need to somehow mobilize and resolve everything, you can hear the following expression - "it's time to take the bull by the horns." The phrase is stable and quite common in Russian colloquial speech. What does it mean, what are the rules of use, as well as synonyms of expression? We consider further in order.
Value
There are two main contexts of using the phrase “take the bull by the horns”. The meaning of phraseologism implies: the transition directly to any business or subject of conversation or the beginning of decisive and energetic actions in the desired direction.
Examples:
- The teacher gives a lot of theory of English grammar, you need to take the bull by the horns and go directly to practice.
- It seems that this project will never begin. It's time to take the bull by the horns and run the trial version by the end of the week .
In both the first and second examples, a situation is observed which the speaker is not happy with. He seeks to change it and expresses it with the help of the stable phrase “take the bull by the horns”. The meaning of phraseology is figurative. It helps to saturate the speech with emotions and express the speaker’s personal attitude to the situation.
Etymology
Phraseologism is lexically indivisible and stable in composition and structure. It performs the functions of a separate token with an independent meaning, as in the case of the expression "take the bull by the horns." The meaning of phraseology is understandable only due to such a combination of words. The sum of their individual values ​​may be completely different.
The image of this phraseologism follows from the idea of ​​traditional methods of pacifying bulls, known even from ancient Greek legends. To cope with a strong and uncontrollable animal, it was necessary to act actively, decisively, quickly, so as not to be a victim yourself.
The second possible variant of the origin of phraseology is associated with arable farming. Previously, bulls were used to till the land, not horses. They were put on the furrow, holding the horns with ropes and shafts. When the animal began to counteract, it was necessary to react quickly and return it in the given direction. To control the bull also required courage and determination.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Depending on the context of use, it is possible to select the phrase “to take the bull by the horns” for the phraseology “synonymously” or “roll up your sleeves”. A similar, but not identical, meaning is the expression "the ice has broken."
There are many more examples of antonyms :
- Wait by the sea for the weather.
- Pour from empty to empty.
- To go with the flow.
- After the rain on Thursday.
- Crush the water in the mortar.
- To speak teeth.
- Wash your hands.
- An hour per teaspoon .
Figurative, vivid expressions enrich the speech and make it more emotional and individualized, as in the case with the phrase "take the bull by the horns." The meaning of phraseology is most fully disclosed in examples of use. The expression is actively used both in colloquial speech, correspondence, and in literary works. It has a number of analogues in foreign languages, for example, take the bull by the horns in English.