How to Pronounce "have the tiger by the tail"
expression
HAV thuh TY-gur by thuh TAYL
hav thuh TY-guh by thuh TAYL
Definition
To be involved in a situation that is powerful or dangerous and difficult to control, but cannot easily be escaped.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈhæv/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈtaɪɡɝ/ /ˈbaɪ/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈteɪɫ
British English
hæv/ /ðə, ði/ /tˈaɪɡɐ/ /bˈaɪ/ /ðə, ði/ /tˈeɪl
Simplified Pronunciation
US
HAV thuh TY-gur by thuh TAYL
UK
hav thuh TY-guh by thuh TAYL
Listen in Context
After he started the new business, he realized he had the tiger by the tail.
She took on too many tasks and now she has the tiger by the tail.
If you continue this risky plan, you may have the tiger by the tail.
We thought the project would be simple, but now we have the tiger by the tail and can’t stop.