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get the bit in one's teeth

Variant of bit

bit definition

bit (bit)

noun

  1. the part of a bridle that goes into a horse's mouth, used to control the horse
  2. anything that curbs or controls
  3. the part of a pipestem held in the mouth
  4. the part of a key that actually turns the lock
  5. the cutting part of any tool, as the blade of a plane
  6. a drilling or boring tool for use in a brace, drill press, etc.

Etymology: ME < OE bite, a bite < bītan, bite

transitive verb bitted bit′·ted, bitting bit′·ting

    1. to put a bit into the mouth of (a horse)
    2. to train to the bit
  2. to check or curb
  3. to make the bit on (a key)
bit Idioms

take the bit in one's teeth

or get the bit in one's teeth
  1. to clench the bit between the teeth, so that it fails to restrain: said of horses
  2. to be beyond control

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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