Question

Choose the option that best describes the idiom given below:
To catch a tartar

• A. To be on a tricky path
• B. To deal with someone or something that is difficult to handle
• C. To get your reputation sullied
• D. To catch a dangerous person
• E. To be stuck in a problematic situation

Hint:

For idioms, focus on meaning rather than literal words. Idioms often cannot be understood word-by-word.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Analyze the idiom's origin.
The idiom stems from military history, referring to capturing a Turkic/Tatar warrior, only to find that the captive is so fierce and unyielding that the captor is the one actually in trouble.

Step 2: Identify the modern usage.
Today, it means encountering an unexpectedly strong, stubborn, or difficult opponent or problem. Option (B) captures this precise meaning.