have the tiger by the tail

== English == === Alternative forms === have a tiger by the tail === Pronunciation === === Verb === have the tiger by the tail (third-person singular simple present has the tiger by the tail, present participle having the tiger by the tail, simple past and past participle had the 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