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

Disdainful and disappointed mothers who had daughters to spare said that he was proud and stuck-up—that they did not know what the young men of the present day were coming to, and that Sam Tremail deserved to catch a tartar.

From Project Gutenberg

“Take care you don’t catch a Tartar, mon cher altesse!” cautioned the punning plenipotentiary.

From Project Gutenberg

But when the inhabitants o' the canny toon heard the braggadocio o' the redcoats, as they galloped through the streets, flourishing their swords, "Dinna brag tow fast, lads," said they, shaking their heads; "words arena deeds; and tak care that each ane o' ye doesna catch a Tartar."

From Project Gutenberg

"Oh, yes!" sighed out a dandy, with an affected drawl; "poor dear Liddy did indeed catch a 'Tartar '!"

From Project Gutenberg

If you tried such cantrips now you'd catch a tartar In the vigilant big Bobby on his beat.

From Project Gutenberg