IdiomAnimals
English
Englishbare one's teeth
Meaning: To show hostility and a readiness to fight.
Example: “When the competitor tried to poach its clients, the small firm bared its teeth.”
Origin: Taken from animal behavior: a dog or wolf draws back its lips and shows its teeth as a warning before it attacks.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Montrer les dents Literally: To show the teeth
More English idioms
- one's eyes are bigger than one's stomach To take more food than one can eat; more broadly, to want more than one can handle.
- have a sharp tongue To speak in a harsh, cutting way.
- be in the thick of it To be in the busiest or most intense part of an activity.
- cut one's teeth To gain one's first experience of something.
- be scared stiff To be so frightened that one cannot move.
- have stars in one's eyes To be dazzled or dreamily idealistic, especially about love or fame.
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