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Meaning & use

don't poke the bear

phrase·Everydayinformalfigurative

Last updated

UK/ˌdəʊnt ˌpəʊk ðə ˈbeə/
US/ˌdoʊnt ˌpoʊk ðə ˈber/

Meanings

  1. phraseidiominformal

    Used to warn someone not to provoke a person or group who is powerful, angry or likely to react badly.

    Grammar: Spoken as advice or an order; the structure can change: stop poking the bear.

    Patterns

    • don't poke the bear

    Dad is already in a bad mood, so don't poke the bear.

    The negotiations are tense; don't poke the bear by mentioning the old dispute.

    I know you want to argue with the boss, but don't poke the bear.

  2. phraseidiominformalfigurative

    Used more generally to advise leaving an unpleasant situation alone to avoid making it worse.

    Grammar: Can describe a problem, not just a person: don't poke the bear with that topic.

    Patterns

    • don't poke the bear with something

    The issue has finally gone quiet, so don't poke the bear.

    She kept silent, deciding it was best not to poke the bear.

    Bringing up politics at dinner is like poking the bear.

Common combinations

stop poking the bear
Stop poking the bear and let him cool down.
poke the bear
Why would you poke the bear right now?
better not poke the bear
We'd better not poke the bear before the vote.
like poking the bear
Asking him about the deadline was like poking the bear.

Synonyms and how they differ

let sleeping dogs lie
Let sleeping dogs lie advises leaving a calm problem alone, while don't poke the bear stresses avoiding a dangerous reaction.
don't rock the boat
Don't rock the boat is about not disturbing a stable situation, not about angering someone.
don't provoke him
Don't provoke him is a direct, plain version without the image.
tread carefully
Tread carefully suggests caution in general, not a specific warning about irritating someone.

Opposites

stir the pot

Word family

poke verb
to push at something with a finger or stick
poking noun
the act of prodding
bear noun
a large strong wild animal
provoke verb
to deliberately cause an angry reaction

Commonly confused: don't poke the bear or poke fun at?

don't poke the bear vs poke fun at

Poke fun at means to tease someone, which is not the same as provoking a dangerous reaction.

Practice

My boss is furious about the missed deadline. If I were you, I'd ___.

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