bare (one's) teeth

(redirected from bear its teeth)
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bare (one's) teeth

To display an angry, violent, or threatening reaction to or against something or someone, as does a dog or wolf when threatened. I will bare my teeth to anyone who tries to take away my land. We seemed to be getting along just fine, but she suddenly bared her teeth when I brought up religion. In my opinion, he's just very insecure and that's why he'll suddenly bare his teeth over some innocuous comment.
See also: bare, teeth
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

bare one's teeth

Also, show one's teeth. Indicate hostility and readiness to fight, as in His refusal to accept my offer made it clear I'd have to bare my teeth, or In this instance, calling in a lawyer is showing one's teeth. This figurative term transfers the snarl of a dog to human anger. It first was recorded as show one's teeth in 1615.
See also: bare, teeth
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

bare your ˈteeth

show your teeth in a fierce and threatening way: The dog bared its teeth and growled.
See also: bare, teeth
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive ?
"Like us, chimpanzees are extremely expressive and use their facial expressions and vocalization to communicate: a scared chimp will bear its teeth whilst an excited chimp will open its mouth wide with teeth exposed and 'pant hoot'.
Hop on for chimp island
DARREN CLARKE claims Royal Portrush will bear its teeth after a first round of low scoring in the wet and windy Irish Open.
CLARKE FAN OF PORT IN BIG STORM; GOLF IRISH OPEN
On a day when patchy rain and stiff sea breezes allowed Royal St George's to bear its teeth at the 156-strong field, the 41-year-old Dane seized the lead early on with a five-under 65 that included seven birdies and that stood for most of a marathon day before Lewis made his move in the early evening.
Amateur Lewis steals the show with record round
Yesterday Davies went out for his final practice round in the afternoon alongside English duo Graeme Storm and Oliver Fisher in blazing sun with a slight breeze - but with heavy showers and an increase in wind forecast for the west coast of Scotland in the coming days, Turnberry is all set to bear its teeth over the championship.
Davies gets a boost from ex-coach's transatlantic trip to Open
DARREN CLARKE claims Portrush will bear its teeth after a first round of low scoring in the Irish Open.
WARNING; CLARKE: DO NOT BE FOOLED THIS COURSE WILL BITE BACK FAST
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