loaded for bear

adj

Etymology

An allusion to equipping oneself with the sort of heavy weaponry suitable for hunting large animals.

Definitions

  1. 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."
  2. Mentally prepared for a daunting situation or confrontation.

    • Every Elliott and Crawford and MacAllister is on the warpath, loaded for bear.

The neighborhood

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sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA