have a tiger by the tail

== English == === Alternative forms === have the tiger by the tail === Pronunciation === === Verb === have a tiger by the tail (third-person singular simple present has a tiger by the tail, present participle having a tiger by the tail, simple past and past participle had a tiger by the tail) (idiomatic) To be in a difficult or dangerous situation in which one ideally should not remain, but from which one cannot withdraw. ==== Synonyms ==== have the wolf by the ear