Bulls are strong animals. People have watched them for many years. They are known for their power, speed, and bold behavior. Because of this, people use bulls in language to explain different actions, feelings, and situations. These phrases are called idioms. They help us say things in a fun and interesting way.
In this article, you will learn some idioms about bulls. Each one has a special meaning. Some talk about being brave, while others show someone who is careless or loud. You might hear them in books, shows, or even in daily life. Knowing these idioms will help you understand what people mean and make your own speaking better too. Let’s take a look at these bull idioms and how they are used.
Idioms About Bulls
1. Like a bull in a china shop
Meaning: Acting clumsily or carelessly, especially in a delicate situation.
Example Sentence:
– Joey ran into the room like a bull in a china shop and knocked over the lamp.
– She moves through the store like a bull in a china shop.
Other ways to say: Clumsy, careless
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from the idea of a big, wild bull inside a fragile store full of glass items.
Usage: Used to describe someone who is rough or doesn’t think before moving or acting.
2. Take the bull by the horns
Meaning: To face a problem bravely and deal with it.
Example Sentence:
– Mia took the bull by the horns and finished the project herself.
– He took the bull by the horns and told the truth.
Other ways to say: Be brave, face the challenge
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying comes from cowboys who grabbed a bull by the horns to control it.
Usage: Used when someone takes control of a hard situation.
3. Bull-headed
Meaning: Being very stubborn and not willing to listen.
Example Sentence:
– He was bull-headed and didn’t want to change his mind.
– Don’t be bull-headed; try to understand her side.
Other ways to say: Stubborn, hard to change
Fun Fact/Origin: Bulls are known for being tough and not easy to move.
Usage: Used when someone refuses to listen or change their thinking.
4. Shoot the bull
Meaning: To chat or talk about nothing important.
Example Sentence:
– The boys sat on the porch shooting the bull all afternoon.
– Grandpa likes to shoot the bull with his old friends.
Other ways to say: Chat, talk casually
Fun Fact/Origin: This is a fun, relaxed way of saying “talking,” and became popular in the U.S.
Usage: Used when people are having a casual conversation.
5. A load of bull
Meaning: Something that is untrue or nonsense.
Example Sentence:
– That story sounds like a load of bull.
– Don’t believe him; it’s a bunch of bull.
Other ways to say: Nonsense, not true
Fun Fact/Origin: “Bull” in this case doesn’t mean the animal—it’s used to show disbelief.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t believe what is being said.
6. Red rag to a bull
Meaning: Something that makes someone very angry.
Example Sentence:
– Talking about his mistake is like a red rag to a bull.
– Her teasing was like a red rag to a bull for him.
Other ways to say: Provoking, making mad
Fun Fact/Origin: Bulls are often shown getting angry when they see red during bullfights.
Usage: Used when someone gets upset because of something said or done.
7. Bull market
Meaning: A time when stock prices are going up.
Example Sentence:
– During a bull market, people make more money.
– A bull market helps investors feel good.
Other ways to say: Rising market, growing prices
Fun Fact/Origin: This term is from Wall Street. Bulls charge upward, like prices in a growing market.
Usage: Used when talking about the economy or stock market doing well.
8. Bull in a china closet
Meaning: A person who is not gentle and breaks things or causes problems.
Example Sentence:
– He acted like a bull in a china closet during the meeting.
– Don’t let Max near the decorations; he’s like a bull in a china closet.
Other ways to say: Careless, rough
Fun Fact/Origin: Same idea as “bull in a china shop.”
Usage: Used for someone who doesn’t act carefully.
9. Bull’s-eye
Meaning: The exact target or correct answer.
Example Sentence:
– She hit the bull’s-eye with her first try.
– His guess was right on the bull’s-eye.
Other ways to say: Perfect hit, right on target
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from target practice, where the middle spot is the “bull’s-eye.”
Usage: Used when someone is exactly right.
10. Grab the bull by the horns
Meaning: To deal with a tough situation directly.
Example Sentence:
– Let’s grab the bull by the horns and finish our homework.
– She grabbed the bull by the horns and apologized first.
Other ways to say: Take charge, be bold
Fun Fact/Origin: Like “take the bull by the horns”—same meaning.
Usage: Used to show bravery in facing a challenge.
11. Bull session
Meaning: A casual talk, often among friends.
Example Sentence:
– The team had a bull session after the game.
– We had a late-night bull session about our summer plans.
Other ways to say: Group chat, hangout talk
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in the 1900s, used among college students.
Usage: Used when people talk about ideas or anything in a relaxed way.
12. Like waving a red flag in front of a bull
Meaning: Doing something that will surely make someone angry.
Example Sentence:
– Yelling at her was like waving a red flag in front of a bull.
– Talking about his mistake is like waving a red flag at a bull.
Other ways to say: Provoking, pushing someone’s buttons
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from bullfighting where red capes are used.
Usage: Used when a person does something that causes anger.
13. Strong as a bull
Meaning: Very strong and powerful.
Example Sentence:
– My grandpa is strong as a bull.
– She lifted the box like she’s strong as a bull.
Other ways to say: Very strong, super strong
Fun Fact/Origin: Bulls are known for their strength.
Usage: Used when talking about someone’s physical power.
14. Bull run
Meaning: A period of rising success or excitement.
Example Sentence:
– The movie had a great bull run at the box office.
– That team is on a bull run this season.
Other ways to say: Streak of success, winning period
Fun Fact/Origin: Also used in finance, like “bull market.”
Usage: Used when someone or something is doing really well.
15. Bull at a gate
Meaning: Acting very fast and without thinking.
Example Sentence:
– He rushed into the room like a bull at a gate.
– Don’t go into the test like a bull at a gate.
Other ways to say: Hasty, too quick
Fun Fact/Origin: Bulls charge at gates fast, often in anger.
Usage: Used when someone acts too fast or wildly.
16. Bull out of the ring
Meaning: Someone removed or forced out of a fight or group.
Example Sentence:
– After the big mistake, he was a bull out of the ring.
– The coach felt like a bull out of the ring after quitting.
Other ways to say: Left out, out of place
Fun Fact/Origin: Related to bullfighting rings.
Usage: Used when someone is pushed out or leaves.
17. Bull-headed fool
Meaning: A very stubborn person who won’t listen.
Example Sentence:
– He’s acting like a bull-headed fool again.
– You can’t talk to a bull-headed fool.
Other ways to say: Hard-headed, doesn’t listen
Fun Fact/Origin: Combines “bull-headed” and foolishness.
Usage: Used when someone acts stubborn and won’t listen to advice.
18. Make a bull market out of a bear
Meaning: To try to turn a bad situation into a good one.
Example Sentence:
– He’s trying to make a bull market out of a bear with that idea.
– You can’t always make a bull market out of a bear.
Other ways to say: Turn bad into good, hope for a rise
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from stock market terms.
Usage: Used when trying to improve a bad condition.
19. Bull-baiting
Meaning: Teasing or picking on someone to get a reaction.
Example Sentence:
– They were bull-baiting the shy kid, and it wasn’t nice.
– Bull-baiting others isn’t funny; it’s mean.
Other ways to say: Teasing, bothering
Fun Fact/Origin: Was once a cruel sport involving bulls.
Usage: Used when someone picks on others for fun.
20. Bull’s strength
Meaning: Powerful force or effort.
Example Sentence:
– She cleaned the garage with bull’s strength.
– That punch had bull’s strength behind it.
Other ways to say: Full power, huge effort
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to how strong bulls are.
Usage: Used when someone shows great strength.
21. Bull rush
Meaning: To charge at something quickly and forcefully.
Example Sentence:
– He made a bull rush to grab the last cookie.
– The player bull rushed into the goal.
Other ways to say: Charge, rush forward
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports and bull behavior.
Usage: Used when someone moves quickly and strongly.
22. Bull talk
Meaning: Loud talk that may not be true.
Example Sentence:
– That sounds like bull talk to me.
– He always comes up with bull talk before a game.
Other ways to say: Bragging, empty words
Fun Fact/Origin: Related to boasting and showing off.
Usage: Used when someone talks big but doesn’t act.
23. Bull’s horns
Meaning: The dangerous part of a problem.
Example Sentence:
– We’re facing the bull’s horns on this one.
– That issue is right at the bull’s horns now.
Other ways to say: Big problem, tough part
Fun Fact/Origin: Bulls attack with their horns.
Usage: Used when someone is in a very hard spot.
24. Bull-faced lie
Meaning: A lie that is obvious and bold.
Example Sentence:
– Saying you didn’t do it is a bull-faced lie.
– That’s a bull-faced lie and you know it.
Other ways to say: Big lie, bold lie
Fun Fact/Origin: Means lying with no shame.
Usage: Used when someone is clearly not telling the truth.
25. Bull fiddle
Meaning: A double bass (musical instrument).
Example Sentence:
– He played the bull fiddle in the school band.
– That bull fiddle makes a deep sound.
Other ways to say: Bass, big violin
Fun Fact/Origin: The size of the instrument led to the nickname.
Usage: Used when talking about a large string instrument.
26. Bull luck
Meaning: Bad luck or silly fortune.
Example Sentence:
– That’s bull luck to lose your phone twice!
– Only bull luck could make this happen.
Other ways to say: Bad break, silly luck
Fun Fact/Origin: A less common idiom about strange luck.
Usage: Used when something odd or unlucky happens.
27. Throw the bull
Meaning: To talk nonsense or exaggerate.
Example Sentence:
– Stop throwing the bull and tell the truth.
– He’s just throwing the bull again.
Other ways to say: Fibbing, joking
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “shoot the bull.”
Usage: Used when someone tells a made-up story.
28. Bull-like rage
Meaning: Anger that is wild and strong.
Example Sentence:
– He stormed out in a bull-like rage.
– That was a bull-like rage during the argument.
Other ways to say: Fierce anger, mad
Fun Fact/Origin: Bulls are known to charge when angry.
Usage: Used when someone is very angry and loud.
29. Bull whip
Meaning: A long whip used to control bulls or cattle.
Example Sentence:
– The cowboy carried a bull whip.
– She cracked the bull whip like a pro.
Other ways to say: Cattle whip
Fun Fact/Origin: Still used in rodeo and cattle work.
Usage: Refers to real tools, sometimes in stories too.
30. Bull neck
Meaning: A thick, strong neck like a bull’s.
Example Sentence:
– The wrestler had a bull neck.
– He trained until he had a bull neck.
Other ways to say: Thick neck, strong neck
Fun Fact/Origin: Bulls have thick necks.
Usage: Used when someone has strong muscles.
31. Bull roar
Meaning: A loud, deep sound.
Example Sentence:
– I heard a bull roar from across the field.
– His laugh was like a bull roar.
Other ways to say: Loud sound, deep roar
Fun Fact/Origin: Related to the deep sound bulls make.
Usage: Used to describe loud noises.
32. Bull pen
Meaning: A holding area, often for pitchers in baseball.
Example Sentence:
– The pitcher warmed up in the bull pen.
– The bull pen was busy during the game.
Other ways to say: Warm-up area
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from baseball.
Usage: Used in sports talk.
33. Bull’s hide
Meaning: Tough skin or a tough person.
Example Sentence:
– That guy has a bull’s hide; nothing bothers him.
– You need a bull’s hide to handle that job.
Other ways to say: Tough, strong
Fun Fact/Origin: Bull hides are thick and strong.
Usage: Used when someone is mentally or physically strong.
34. Bull trick
Meaning: A trick that’s bold or unfair.
Example Sentence:
– That was a bull trick to blame your sister.
– He used a bull trick to win the game.
Other ways to say: Sneaky move, unfair trick
Fun Fact/Origin: Not very common, but means unfair play.
Usage: Used when someone cheats or plays dirty.
35. Bullheaded decision
Meaning: A choice made stubbornly, without listening.
Example Sentence:
– That was a bullheaded decision to go alone.
– Don’t make a bullheaded decision without thinking.
Other ways to say: Rash choice, stubborn choice
Fun Fact/Origin: From “bull-headed” but applied to actions.
Usage: Used when someone acts without thinking things through.
Quiz: Idioms About Bulls
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the idioms to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. What does “like a bull in a china shop” mean?
A) Very quiet and gentle
B) Careless and likely to break things
C) Smart and careful
2. What does it mean to “take the bull by the horns”?
A) Avoid a problem
B) Face a challenge bravely
C) Walk away from trouble
3. If someone is “bull-headed,” what are they like?
A) Very kind
B) Very stubborn
C) Very shy
4. What does it mean to “shoot the bull”?
A) To go hunting
B) To talk nonsense or chat
C) To tell someone a secret
5. What is a “bull market”?
A) A place to buy bulls
B) A time when prices go down
C) A time when prices go up
6. What does “strong as a bull” mean?
A) Very weak
B) Very funny
C) Very strong
7. What does “red rag to a bull” mean?
A) Something that makes someone very angry
B) Something that is very colorful
C) Something that is easy to fix
8. What is a “bull session”?
A) A quiet nap
B) A short meeting
C) A relaxed talk or chat
9. What does it mean if someone tells a “bull-faced lie”?
A) They are being honest
B) They are making a silly joke
C) They are lying boldly
10. What is a “bull pen” in baseball?
A) Where fans sit
B) Where pitchers warm up
C) Where the team eats snacks
11. What does it mean to “bull rush” something?
A) Walk slowly
B) Run away
C) Charge quickly
12. If someone has a “bull’s-eye,” what happened?
A) They missed the goal
B) They hit the exact target
C) They lost their chance
Answer Key
- B) Careless and likely to break things
- B) Face a challenge bravely
- B) Very stubborn
- B) To talk nonsense or chat
- C) A time when prices go up
- C) Very strong
- A) Something that makes someone very angry
- C) A relaxed talk or chat
- C) They are lying boldly
- B) Where pitchers warm up
- C) Charge quickly
- B) They hit the exact target
Wrapping Up
Idioms about bulls are full of action and bold ideas. They help explain how people act, especially when they are strong, stubborn, or careless. Many of these sayings come from how bulls behave or are used in sports and farming. Learning them can help you speak more clearly and understand what others mean when they use these phrases. Now you know how to spot these bull idioms and use them with confidence.
