beard the lion in his den en · VERB
Etymology
From sense beard (“to confront”).
Meanings
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(idiomatic) To confront an adversary in his or her own environment.
Duty called me to beard the lion in his den; and though no Daniel, I took on the job without fear and trembling…
1936, The Bankers magazine, volume 132, page 307:George and John Rennie, and James Ekron, a servant of my father’s, announced their determination to march in and beard the lion in his den, provided three of the Mulattoes, who were superior marksmen, would support them.
1840, Thomas Pringle, Josiah Conder, Narrative of a residence in South Africa, page 45:And dar'st thou then / To beard the lion in his den, / The Douglas in his hall?
1808 February 22, Walter Scott, “Canto Sixth. The Battle.”, in Marmion; a Tale of Flodden Field, Edinburgh: […] J[ames] Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Company, […]; London: William Miller, and John Murray, →OCLC, stanza XIV, page 338:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| beards the lion in his den | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| bearding the lion in his den | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| bearded the lion in his den | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| bearded the lion in his den | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| beard the lion | alternative | lexicographic |