Lesson 18 - Take the Bull by the Horns

Easy American Idioms » Lesson 18 - Take the Bull by the Horns

Word List

To take the wind out of someone’s sails

→ To take away someone’s enthusiasm or hope for something.
A take on something

→ An opinion or interpretation of something.
To talk a big game

→ To exaggerate one’s abilities or powers.
To back something up

→ To support, to lend evidence or strength to something.
To be wet behind the ears

→ To be inexperienced or new at something.
In the same boat

→ In the same situation.
To be or get canned

→ To be or get fired.
To pass up for something

→ To fail to consider for something or to grant a reward for something.
To earn peanuts

→ To earn very little money.
To make ends meet

→ To earn enough money to pay for one’sexpenses.
To be on the back burner

→ To be put off, to not be taken care of immediately.
To be a match made in heaven

→ To be perfect together.
To have someone’s name on it

→ To belong to someone, to be the logical or rightful property or achievement of a particular person.
To get or have someone where you want him or her

→ To maneuver someone into a position or situation that benefits you.
To be hard-pressed

→ To be pressured by extreme necessity to dosomething.
To fill a slot

→ To hire a person for an open or available position.
To have your ducks in a row

→ To have everything orderly and planned out.
To step up to the plate

→ To volunteer yourself, to act responsibly in a time of need.
To have your fingers in too many pies

→ To be committed to too many goals or projects.
To take on

→ To make yourself responsible for something,o agree to an obligation.
To jump the gun

→ To do something too early, to act too quickly.
To take the bull by the horns

→ To approach a situation directly and with determination.
To put your best foot forward

→ To present your best attributes and qualities.

Take the Bull by the Horns.

Brad: Hey, Stephen! So what’s the word?! Are you gonna go for the Sales Director position? Have you talked to Bonnie yet?

Stephen: Well, I’m not sure. . . . I’m still mulling it over. I heard Larry say he was going for the job, and that he was sure he was a shoo-in for the position. That kind of took the wind out of my sails. I don’t know . . . what’s your take on the situation?

Brad: Listen, Larry talks a big game, but has nothing to back it up. Plus, he’s a bit wet behind the ears when it comes to managing people.

Stephen: Maybe, but I want to be sure that I’ll get the position before I ask . . . I don’t want anyone to get the idea I’m not content where I am, and then be stuck here.

Brad: I hear ya . . . People in the same boat have been canned before, or at least passed up for promotion later on.

Stephen: Exactly. Thing is, I really need this new job . . . I’m earning peanuts now, and with the baby, I just can’t seem to make ends meet. Plus there are some things that need to be fixed on the house, and problems with the car that I’ve let sit on the back burner for ages . . . and I just can’t afford to do that anymore.

Brad: Well, if you ask me . . . you and that job? A match made in heaven. That job has your name on it. You’d be perfect for it . . . It wouldn’t be like a new job at all, it’d be more like a promotion. And you’ve definitely got Bonnie where you want her . . . Jolie left and they are hard-pressed to fill the slot quickly. And you’ve got all the qualifications. Go tell Bonnie that you want that job!

Stephen: Yeah, I just want to make sure I’ve got all my ducks in a row before I step into her office.

Brad: What ducks?! You need more money; you’d be good at the job; all you’ve got to do is step up to the plate.

Stephen: Well, there’s also the issue of my family life. I already have my fingers in too many pies. I worry that I won’t be able to take on more responsibility. It will mean more to take home at night.

Brad: Okay . . .

Stephen: And I don’t want to jump the gun. I mean, there’s always a good and a bad time to do these things . . . and that position won’t actually be open for another three months.

Brad: Listen . . . there’s no time like the present . . . You know what your obstacle in this is? You’re not assertive enough. They need someone. Just take the bull by the horns, march in there, and present yourself for the position.

Stephen: Do you really think so?

Brad: Absolutely.

Brad: Put your best foot forward. Remember . . . bull . . . horns . . . . Go for it!

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