The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (464 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
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He who RIDES a tiger is afraid to dismount
Once a dangerous or troublesome venture is begun, the safest course is to carry it through to the end.
1875
Collection of Chinese Proverbs
no. 2082
He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount…
Ch'i 'hu nan hsia pei
.
1902
Mastery of Pacific
xvi.
These colonies are .. for her [France] the tiger which she has mounted (to use the Chinese phrase) and which she can neither manage nor get rid of.
1983
Bay Psalm Book Murder
x.
‘But no doubt about it, I've got a tiger by the tail now.’ ‘And there's an Oriental saying that the man who rides the tiger is afraid to get off. Watch your step.’
peril

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