Poke the bear Meaning in English
expression
ˈpoʊk/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈbɛɹ
POHK thuh BAIR
pˈəʊk/ /ðə, ði/ /bˈeə
POHK thuh BAIR
Definición
To intentionally provoke or annoy someone who is likely to react angrily or cause trouble. Used when warning not to make someone angry.
Uso & Matices
This is an informal idiom, used mainly in warnings or advice. Similar to 'don't push your luck.' Commonly refers to authority figures or anyone with a potentially strong negative reaction. Not used literally.
Spanish: provocar al oso (figurado) - buscar problemasPortuguese (BR): cutucar o urso (expressão) - provocar confusãoPortuguese (PT): provocar o urso (expressão) - arranjar confusãoChinese (Simplified): 招惹麻烦（比喻）- 挑衅危险的人Chinese (Traditional): 招惹麻煩（比喻）- 挑釁危險的人Hindi: शेर को छेड़ना (मुहावरा) - मुसीबत मोल लेनाArabic: إثارة غضب شخص خطير (تعبير مجازي) - اللعب بالنارBengali: বাঘের গায়ে হাত দেওয়া - আগুনে ঘি ঢালাRussian: играть с огнём - злить начальствоJapanese: 怒らせる - わざと刺激するVietnamese: chọc tức người nguy hiểm - khiêu khích người có quyền lựcKorean: 화난 사람을 건드리다 - 괜히 자극하다Turkish: ayıyı kızdırmak - tehlikeli kişiyi kışkırtmakUrdu: شیر کو للکارنا - کسی کو غصہ دلاناIndonesian: chọc giận người nguy hiểm - khiêu khích người quyền lực
Oraciones de Ejemplo
Don't poke the bear if you want to avoid trouble.
basic
He kept asking annoying questions, really poking the bear.
basic
You shouldn't poke the bear by arguing with your boss.
basic
Why poke the bear when things are finally going well?
natural
She likes to poke the bear, just to see people's reactions.
natural
You already got away with it—don't poke the bear again!
natural