catch a Tartar

Idioms  

1. Seek out something or someone that turns out to be unexpectedly unpleasant or formidable, as in Now that she finally agreed to meet with you, you just might find that you've caught a Tartar. In this term, Tartar signifies a difficult or sometimes violent individual, referring to Turkic and Mongolian invaders of Asia in the Middle Ages. [Mid-1600s]

---

Example Sentences

Deserters said that Lévis would assault the town; and the soldiers replied: "Let him come on; he will catch a Tartar."

From Montcalm and Wolfe by Parkman, Francis

"Lucky you discovered her, boy, for we might have been surprised, that's a fact," said the captain; "however, now she shall catch a Tartar."

From Poor Jack by Marryat, Frederick

V. be deceived &c 545, be the dupe of; fall into a trap; swallow the bait, nibble at the bait; bite, catch a Tartar.

From Roget's Thesaurus by Roget, Peter Mark

W. Tell him, if he should try, he may catch a Tartar.

From The Life, Adventures & Piracies of the Famous Captain Singleton by Defoe, Daniel

"They may come up," Ralph said, "but they can do us no harm, on the broken ground; and will catch a Tartar, if they don't mind."

From The Young Franc Tireurs And Their Adventures in the Franco-Prussian War by Young, F. T.