Loaded for bear

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Loaded for bear

Origin of Phrases - L

 

Loaded for bear

Meaning: To be aggressively seeking a confrontation.

 

Example: Presidential opponents are typically loaded for bear waiting for missteps in office. Clinton provided many opportunities to load up.

 

Origin: Old muskets were loaded by pouring gunpowder down the barrel, followed by the shot. The power of a given charge could be adjusted by adding more or less gunpowder.

When hunting large animals like bear, a large and powerful gunpowder charge would be loaded into the musket. Hence loaded for bear is to be hunting with a powerful charge ready.