take the bull by the horns Definition

bull¹
noun

1. The uncastrated male of animals in the cattle family.
2. The male of the elephant, whale and some other large animals.
3. astron.astrol.
Taurus.
Form: a Bull
Form: the Bull
4. stock exchange.
Someone who buys shares hoping to sell them at a higher price at a later date. Compare bear² noun 4, lame duck 4.
5. colloq
A bull's-eye (sense 1).
6. A well-built, powerful or aggressive man.

Form: a bull of a man (especially)

adj

1. Male.

Example: a bull walrus
2. stock exchange.
Said of a market: favourable to the bulls (sense 4); rising.
3. Massive; coarse; strong.

Idiom: take the bull by the horns

To deal boldly and positively with a challenge or difficulty.

Etymology: 13c.