loaded for bear

Idioms  

1. Fully prepared for action; also, spoiling for a fight. For example, Bill tackled his new sales route loaded for bear, or When Martin was three hours late, his wife was loaded for bear. This term, dating from the mid-1800s, alludes to the heavy charge of powder or lead that hunters use for large animals like a bear.

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Example Sentences

“They are loaded for bear, as they say,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2024

“Chase Elliott is a heck of a road course racer. I know Hendrick Motorsports is coming loaded for bear for him the next two races.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 8, 2023

Kuhn concludes that while the workers plainly came loaded for bear, their tantrum was essentially spontaneous and not, as some believed, part of a grand conspiracy.

From New York Times • Jul. 1, 2020

Well, I’m not sure what his preparation was like or what he did, but I kind of get the sense that Ken came in loaded for bear and wanted to beat Brad.

From Slate • Jan. 15, 2020

He came back the next day loaded for bear.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand