show one's teeth

show one's teeth
show one's teeth & bare one's teeth
Fig. to act in an angry or threatening manner. (Alludes to what an angry wolf or dog does.) •

We thought Bob was meek and mild, but he really showed his teeth when Jack insulted his girlfriend.

The enemy forces didn't expect the country they invaded to bare its teeth.

* * *
{v. phr.} To show anger; show belligerence. * /He is a very mild, private person, but during a tough business negotiation he knows how to show his teeth./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • show one's teeth — {v. phr.} To show anger; show belligerence. * /He is a very mild, private person, but during a tough business negotiation he knows how to show his teeth./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • show one's teeth — ► show one s teeth Brit. use one s power or authority in an aggressive or intimidating way. Main Entry: ↑show …   English terms dictionary

  • show one's teeth — idi show one s teeth, to become menacing; reveal one s hostility …   From formal English to slang

  • show\ one's\ teeth — v. phr. To show anger; show belligerence. He is a very mild, private person, but during a tough business negotiation he knows how to show his teeth …   Словарь американских идиом

  • show one's teeth — Brit. use one s power or authority in an aggressive or intimidating way. → shoveler …   English new terms dictionary

  • bare one's teeth — show one s teeth, typically when angry. → bare …   English new terms dictionary

  • bare one's teeth — show one s teeth, typically when angry …   Useful english dictionary

  • show one's ivories — (slang) To show the teeth • • • Main Entry: ↑ivory …   Useful english dictionary

  • show one's ivories — bear one s teeth, seek prey, hunt …   English contemporary dictionary

  • grit one's teeth — cvb idi grit one s teeth, to show tenseness, anger, or determination …   From formal English to slang

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