Take The Bit between your teethTake The Bit between your teeth : PhrasesMeaning: Take control of a situation. Example: Origin: A bit is a mouthpiece that is used to control a horse's movements. It is normally fitted so that pressure on the reins presses the bit against the soft parts of the horse's mouth, causing it to turn its head. This expression alludes to a horse biting on the bit and taking control away from the rider. The earliest known use of the phrase is in John Dryden's satirical poem The Medal, 1682: But this new Jehu spurs the hot-mounted horse, Instructs the beast to know his native force, To take the bit between his teeth and fly To the next headlong steep of anarchy. Phrases Index
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