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]

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Example Sentences

"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

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

He’d catch a Tartar, if he attempted to kick me out—he or anybody else just now, in my present humour.

From The Flag of Distress A Story of the South Sea by Reid, Mayne

You know there's an old saying that if you find a Russian you catch a Tartar . . . or something like that.

From Hermione's Group of Thinkers by Marquis, Don

But, my dear sir—I may lead you a dance, and, peradventure into trouble—a small vessel may catch a Tartar, you know.

From Tom Cringle's Log by Scott, Michael