Em 15 segundos
- Face a difficult problem directly and bravely.
- Stop procrastinating and take immediate action.
- Used for challenges, not for general happiness.
Significado
It means deciding to face a difficult problem directly and with courage. Instead of avoiding a tough situation, you tackle it head-on to get it over with.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Encouraging a friend to ask for a raise
Tu devrais prendre le taureau par les cornes et parler à ton patron.
You should take the bull by the horns and talk to your boss.
A manager addressing a project delay
Nous devons prendre le taureau par les cornes pour finir ce projet.
We must take the bull by the horns to finish this project.
Texting a friend about a breakup
J'ai pris le taureau par les cornes et j'ai rompu avec lui.
I took the bull by the horns and broke up with him.
Contexto cultural
In French corporate culture, 'prendre le taureau par les cornes' is often seen as a sign of 'esprit de décision' (decisiveness), which is highly valued in management. The phrase is equally common in Quebec, though you might also hear 's'attaquer au morceau' (tackle the piece/bit) for similar situations. In many African French-speaking countries, proverbs involving animals are very popular. This idiom fits perfectly into the local rhetorical style which favors vivid imagery. Belgian French uses this idiom identically to France, often in the context of the country's complex political negotiations.
Use with 'Il est temps de'
This idiom sounds most natural when preceded by 'Il est temps de...' (It is time to...). It adds a sense of urgency.
Don't change the animal
Never say 'prendre la vache' or 'prendre le boeuf'. The idiom only works with 'taureau'.
Em 15 segundos
- Face a difficult problem directly and bravely.
- Stop procrastinating and take immediate action.
- Used for challenges, not for general happiness.
What It Means
Imagine a massive bull charging at you. You have two choices. You can run away or grab its horns. This idiom is all about that second choice. It means facing a challenge directly. You stop procrastinating and start acting. It is about bravery and decisiveness. It is not about being happy. It is about being bold.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb phrase. You can conjugate prendre however you need. Use it when someone is hesitant. It works well for life-changing decisions. It also works for small, annoying tasks. Think of it as the French version of 'grabbing the nettle.' Use it to sound determined and proactive.
When To Use It
Use it in a professional meeting. Tell your boss you will handle a crisis. Use it with a friend who is scared to quit a job. It is perfect for New Year's resolutions. Use it when you finally decide to learn French grammar. It fits any moment requiring a bit of 'oomph.'
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for simple, happy moments. If you just won the lottery, you are not taking the bull by the horns. You are just lucky! Avoid it for relaxing situations. It implies a struggle or a problem. Don't use it if the situation is trivial. Grabbing a sandwich is not taking the bull by the horns. Unless it is a very scary sandwich.
Cultural Background
This phrase dates back to the 17th century. It comes from the world of bullfighting and ranching. To control a bull, you must control its head. If you hesitate, you get hurt. The French value 'le courage' and 'la détermination.' This phrase captures the spirit of the Enlightenment. It is about human will overcoming raw nature. It is a classic staple of French rhetoric.
Common Variations
You will mostly hear it exactly as is. Sometimes people say il faut prendre le taureau par les cornes. This adds a sense of necessity. You might also hear il a enfin pris le taureau par les cornes. This describes a completed action of bravery. It is a very stable idiom in the French language.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and very versatile. It is used in both spoken and written French to denote a shift from hesitation to action.
Use with 'Il est temps de'
This idiom sounds most natural when preceded by 'Il est temps de...' (It is time to...). It adds a sense of urgency.
Don't change the animal
Never say 'prendre la vache' or 'prendre le boeuf'. The idiom only works with 'taureau'.
Professional context
In a French CV or cover letter, you can use this to describe a time you showed initiative, but keep it in the past tense (J'ai su prendre le taureau par les cornes).
Exemplos
6Tu devrais prendre le taureau par les cornes et parler à ton patron.
You should take the bull by the horns and talk to your boss.
Encouraging direct action in a stressful work situation.
Nous devons prendre le taureau par les cornes pour finir ce projet.
We must take the bull by the horns to finish this project.
Shows leadership and a plan to solve a problem.
J'ai pris le taureau par les cornes et j'ai rompu avec lui.
I took the bull by the horns and broke up with him.
Describes making a difficult personal decision.
Allez, je prends le taureau par les cornes, je fais la lessive !
Come on, I'm taking the bull by the horns, I'm doing the laundry!
Using a strong idiom for a mundane task for comedic effect.
Elle a décidé de prendre le taureau par les cornes et de déménager à Paris.
She decided to take the bull by the horns and move to Paris.
Focuses on the bravery required for a big change.
Il est temps que le gouvernement prenne le taureau par les cornes.
It is time for the government to take the bull by the horns.
Demanding political action on a serious issue.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'prendre'.
Demain, nous ________ le taureau par les cornes pour finir ce projet.
The sentence starts with 'Demain' (tomorrow), so the future tense 'prendrons' is the most logical choice for 'nous'.
Which situation best fits the idiom?
Quand est-il approprié de 'prendre le taureau par les cornes' ?
The idiom implies facing a *difficult* or *intimidating* situation directly.
Choose the best response for Marc.
Léa : 'J'ai trop peur de dire à mon colocataire qu'il doit partir.' Marc : '________'
Marc is encouraging Léa to face her difficult social situation directly.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
3 exerciciosDemain, nous ________ le taureau par les cornes pour finir ce projet.
The sentence starts with 'Demain' (tomorrow), so the future tense 'prendrons' is the most logical choice for 'nous'.
Quand est-il approprié de 'prendre le taureau par les cornes' ?
The idiom implies facing a *difficult* or *intimidating* situation directly.
Léa : 'J'ai trop peur de dire à mon colocataire qu'il doit partir.' Marc : '________'
Marc is encouraging Léa to face her difficult social situation directly.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Perguntas frequentes
6 perguntasNot necessarily. It implies firmness and courage, but it is generally seen as a positive quality in professional and personal life.
It's better to save it for problems that feel 'scary' or 'big' like a bull. For small things, just use 'régler' or 'faire'.
Use the passé composé: 'J'ai pris le taureau par les cornes.'
Always 'par les cornes'. 'Par' indicates the means or the point of contact.
Yes, it is a 'frozen' idiom that hasn't aged. It's used by all generations.
Not a direct one, but 's'y coller' (to get stuck into it) has a similar vibe of starting a hard task.
Frases relacionadas
Aller droit au but
similarTo get straight to the point
Faire l'autruche
contrastTo bury one's head in the sand
Mettre les pieds dans le plat
similarTo put one's foot in it / speak too bluntly
S'attaquer à un gros morceau
builds onTo tackle a big piece/task
