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3. hold a wolf by the ears

hold a wolf by the ears

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hold a wolf by the ears

To be in a difficult situation from which it is as dangerous to extricate oneself as it is to remain in it. I'm afraid we're holding a wolf by the ears regarding our current healthcare system. It would be unthinkable to completely overhaul it, but it is dangerously untenable in its current condition. The authoritarian regime is holding the wolf by the ears with the way it treats the population.

See also: ear, hold, wolf