I'm standing here in a field close to my home. And for some reason there is now a statue of a bull placed close to the roadside. I'm not sure why, but I think it's great opportunity to teach you expressions related to a bull.
The first expression is Lock horns.
To lock horns with someone means to argue with that person or to fight over something. Picture a bull. A bull has horns on its head. It uses its horns to attack. So if two people lock horns, they come together in conflict.
Jill and Kate have been roommates for a long time, but they lock horns over everything. I heard them arguing yesterday about whose turn it was to clean the bathroom.
If you take the bull by the horns, then you face a problem or difficult situation and deal with it directly. Just as it takes courage and strength to face an angry bull, it takes courage and strength to face a difficulty and do your best to resolve it.
Mr. Williams is a wealthy businessman with little fear and much strength. He likes to take the bull by the horns and that explains a lot of his success.
A bullheaded person is someone who is very stubborn and has a strong will. Just as it would be very difficult to stop charging bull from going forward, it can be very difficult to change the mind of a bullheaded person. Once he or she makes the decision to do something, this person is going to do it.
The boy was being bullheaded when he refused his father's offer to help fix the bike. He wasn't very good with tools, but his father was.
To argue; to be in conflict with
To argue; to be in conflict with
To face a problem or difficult situation and deal with it
To face a problem or difficult situation and deal with it
Very stubborn; having a strong will; not easily influenced by others’ advice or opinions
Very stubborn; having a strong will; not easily influenced by others’ advice or opinions
Usage: (adjective) a bullheaded person
Exercise 1
Choose the correct expression to complete the statement.
Ben and Paul are brothers, but they rarely agree about anything. Almost every time they try to have a conversation, the brothers ____________________.
You can also say (lock horns with each other).
Your plan won't work. Don't be so ________________________. Take my advice and try another way.
Tammy is a very strong person. She's not afraid to ______________________
when things get difficult at work or at home.
Answer: take the bull by the horns
Exercise 2
If you're studying by yourself, you can write down your answers. If you have a partner, take turns asking the questions.
Think of a time you faced a serious problem. Did you take the bull by the horns or was it easier to walk away?
Question 2
Are there any members in your family who lock horns with each other? Would you call these relatives bullheaded?