Signification
to confront a problem directly.
Contexte culturel
In Russia, the bull is a symbol of stubbornness and power. Grabbing it by the horns is seen as the ultimate sign of 'muzhik' (manly) strength, though the phrase is used by everyone today. During the Soviet industrialization, idioms of 'struggle' and 'overcoming' were very popular in propaganda. This phrase fit perfectly into the narrative of the worker overcoming nature and obstacles. In modern Russian startups, this phrase is often used to contrast with 'procrastination' (прокрастинация), which is a borrowed word. 'Taking the bull by the horns' is the traditional antidote to modern procrastination. Classic Russian writers like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky used animal metaphors to describe the internal struggles of their characters. While this specific idiom is more 'action-oriented,' it shares that tradition.
Use the Perfective
When you want to sound like you've made a firm decision, use 'взять' (perfective). It sounds much more powerful than 'брать'.
Don't use with people
Never say 'Я взял его за рога' unless he literally has horns. Always keep the 'bull' (быка) in the phrase.
Signification
to confront a problem directly.
Use the Perfective
When you want to sound like you've made a firm decision, use 'взять' (perfective). It sounds much more powerful than 'брать'.
Don't use with people
Never say 'Я взял его за рога' unless he literally has horns. Always keep the 'bull' (быка) in the phrase.
Leadership
In a Russian office, using this phrase can make you sound like a leader. It's a very 'alpha' expression.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word in the correct form.
Хватит сомневаться! Пора взять ___ за рога.
The verb 'взять' requires the Accusative case for the direct object. 'Быка' is the Accusative of 'бык'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to mean 'acting decisively'?
Выберите правильный вариант:
The second option uses the idiom in its figurative sense of starting a difficult task/conversation.
Match the situation to the best use of the idiom.
Ситуация: Вы три месяца не платили за интернет и боитесь звонить в компанию.
Calling the company to resolve the debt is the 'direct action' required.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesХватит сомневаться! Пора взять ___ за рога.
The verb 'взять' requires the Accusative case for the direct object. 'Быка' is the Accusative of 'бык'.
Выберите правильный вариант:
The second option uses the idiom in its figurative sense of starting a difficult task/conversation.
Ситуация: Вы три месяца не платили за интернет и боитесь звонить в компанию.
Calling the company to resolve the debt is the 'direct action' required.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNo, it's not rude. It's a very positive way to describe being proactive and brave.
Yes! You can use it when you decide to finally ask someone out or have a 'serious talk.'
'Брать' is for the general idea or habit; 'взять' is for a specific moment of action.
No, that's not an idiom. Grabbing a bull by the tail would be useless and dangerous!
Yes, very often in headlines about politics or economics to show a decisive move.
Yes, though they might use more slang, this idiom remains a classic that everyone understands and uses.
Not with this exact meaning. There is 'брать кота в мешке' (to buy a pig in a poke), but that's about something else entirely.
It's better for big, daunting problems. Using it for small things might sound sarcastic.
Expressions liées
ходить вокруг да около
contrastTo beat around the bush
рубить с плеча
similarTo act rashly or speak bluntly
не тянуть кота за хвост
similarTo stop stalling
сжигать мосты
builds onTo burn bridges
