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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

loaded for bear en · ADJ

Pronunciation

Etymology

An allusion to equipping oneself with the sort of heavy weaponry suitable for hunting large animals.

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic, not-comparable) Thoroughly equipped, as for a demanding task or confrontation.
    • "The whole Jap Navy," said Captain Sams, waving at a map of Japan on the wall behind him, "has been steaming across the Pacific loaded for bear." 1955, Edward Latimer Beach, chapter 6, in Run Silent, Run Deep:
  2. (idiomatic, not-comparable) Mentally prepared for a daunting situation or confrontation.
    • Every Elliott and Crawford and MacAllister is on the warpath, loaded for bear. 1917, Lucy Maud Montgomery, chapter 35, in Anne's House of Dreams:

Relateds

lock and load · arm to the teeth

Translations (4)

de für alle Eventualitäten ausgerüstet (thoroughly equipped) · fi viimeisen päälle varustautunut (thoroughly equipped) · pl uzbrojony po zęby (thoroughly equipped) · de auf alles vorbereitet (thoroughly equipped)