loaded for bear
adjEtymology An allusion to equipping oneself with the sort of heavy weaponry suitable for hunting large animals.
1
Idiomatic Thoroughly equipped, as for a demanding task or confrontation.
- "The whole Jap Navy," said Captain Sams, waving at a map of Japan on the wall behind him, "has been steaming across the Pacific loaded for bear."1955, Edward Latimer Beach, chapter 6, in Run Silent, Run Deep:
2
Idiomatic Mentally prepared for a daunting situation or confrontation.
- Every Elliott and Crawford and MacAllister is on the warpath, loaded for bear.1917, Lucy Maud Montgomery, chapter 35, in Anne's House of Dreams:
- Related terms
- lock and load, arm to the teeth