grasp the nettle

grasp the nettle
To act boldly, especially when there are short-term adverse consequences.

Hence it was that a few dozen policemen, resolutely grasping the nettle, had no difficulty in handling it.

See Also: nettlesome

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • grasp the nettle — (UK) If you grasp the nettle, you deal bravely with a problem …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • grasp the nettle — ► grasp the nettle Brit. tackle a difficulty boldly. Main Entry: ↑nettle …   English terms dictionary

  • grasp the nettle — phrasal : to take positive and decisive steps to deal with a problem : take the bull by the horns * * * grasp the nettle see under ↑nettle1 • • • Main Entry: ↑grasp grasp the nettle To set about an unpleasant task, duty, etc with firmness and… …   Useful english dictionary

  • grasp the nettle — British & Australian to take action immediately in order to deal with an unpleasant situation. I ve been putting off tackling the problem for too long and I think it s time to grasp the nettle …   New idioms dictionary

  • grasp the nettle — (UK)    If you grasp the nettle, you deal bravely with a problem.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • grasp the nettle — British to deal with a complicated problem that will probably be very difficult, and may cause political or other problems We ve got to grasp the nettle of prison reform …   English dictionary

  • Grasp the nettle —   (UK)   If you grasp the nettle, you deal bravely with a problem …   Dictionary of English idioms

  • grasp the nettle — Brit. tackle a difficulty boldly. → nettle …   English new terms dictionary

  • grasp the nettle — phrasal to act boldly …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • grasp the nettle — confront problems, deal with difficult situations …   English contemporary dictionary

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