bear garden

American  

noun

1. a place for keeping or exhibiting bears, especially (formerly) for bearbaiting.

2. a place or scene of tumult.

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bear garden British  

noun

1. (formerly) a place where bears were exhibited and where bear-baiting took place

2. a place or scene of tumult and disorder

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Etymology

Origin of bear garden

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

"It was a real bear garden," Lord Campbell told The Daily Telegraph.

From BBC • Sep. 15, 2015

I don't miss the bear garden of Prime Minister's Questions or the endless hours sitting in the Chamber waiting to try to get a few minutes talking to an empty House.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2011

The first time I took charge of a study hall at Centennial High School, I thought I was in a bear garden.

From Time Magazine Archive

Let us pull out of this bear garden.

From Time Magazine Archive

If the old man likes his ship turned into a bear garden, 'tisn't our grub they're wasting, or our cargo they've started in to broach.

From A Master of Fortune Being Further Adventures of Captain Kettle by Wood, Stanley L.