have the wolf by the ear

Englisch - Englisch

Definition von have the wolf by the ear im Englisch Englisch wörterbuch

To be in a sticky situation – a dangerous situation from which one cannot disengage, but in which one cannot safely remain

Türkische aussprache

häv dhi wûlf bay dhi ir

Synonyme

sticky situation, be on the horns of a dilemma

Aussprache

/ˈhav ᴛʜē ˈwo͝olf ˈbī ᴛʜē ˈēr/ /ˈhæv ðiː ˈwʊlf ˈbaɪ ðiː ˈiːr/

Etymologie

() US, 1820, by Thomas Jefferson|Thomas Jefferson]], writing about the institution of slavery and the Missouri compromise|Missouri compromise]]:, The Jefferson Encyclopedia :“But, as it is, we have the wolf by the ear, and we can neither hold him nor safely let him go. Justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other.” ::—Thomas Jefferson to John Holmes, (discussing slavery and the Missouri question), Monticello, 22 April 1820. 602px