Definition

1. Noun:

   • A mature male of certain large mammals: Specifically, the adult male of cattle, but also of other animals such as elephants or whales, where the female is called a 'cow'.
   • A papal edict: A formal, official public decree or charter issued by a pope, historically sealed with a leaden bulla.
   • The center of a target: The central area or bullseye in archery or shooting.
   • The zodiac sign Taurus: The second astrological sign in the zodiac, or a person born under this sign.
   • An optimistic investor: In finance, an investor who believes market prices will rise and buys assets with the intention of selling them later at a higher price.
   • (Slang) A police officer: An uncomplimentary or informal term for a policeman.
   • A serious and foolish mistake: A significant blunder or error.
   • (Vulgar slang) Nonsense or lies: Obscene or unacceptable talk or behavior; something considered untrue or deceptive.
   • A large, strong, heavyset man: A man of powerful, muscular, and imposing physical build.

2. Verb:

   • To advance in price: To push prices upward, especially in a financial market.
   • To speak insincerely or falsely: To talk in a deceptive, boastful, or nonsensical manner.
   • To speculate for a price rise: To try to raise the price of stocks through speculative buying.
   • To push or force aggressively: To move forward or impose one's will in a forceful, determined manner.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The farmer keeps a prize bull for breeding.
  • The Pope issued a papal bull.
  • Her final arrow hit the bull.
  • He is a typical Bull, very stubborn and reliable.
  • As a bull, he invested heavily before the market rally.
  • The suspect was arrested by the bulls.
  • Sending the email to the wrong client was a real bull of a mistake.
  • Don't listen to him; he's talking bull.
  • The bouncer was a bull of a man.

• Verb:

  • Traders tried to bull the market.
  • He tends to bull when he's nervous, making up stories.
  • The company bulled its stock price with optimistic reports.
  • He bulled his way through the crowd.

Advanced Usage

• "a bull in a china shop": A person who is very clumsy or careless in a delicate situation.

  • He was like a bull in a china shop at the art gallery, almost knocking over a sculpture.

• "to take the bull by the horns": To face a difficult or dangerous situation directly and with courage.

  • She decided to take the bull by the horns and confront her manager about the unfair workload.

Variants and Related Words

• Bully (noun/verb): A person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker; to act in such a manner.
  • The school has a strict policy against bullies.
• Bullish (adjective): Characterized by rising prices in a financial market (e.g., a trend); or, feeling confident and optimistic.
  • Investors are bullish about the tech sector's future.
• Bulldoze (verb): To clear, demolish, or flatten with a bulldozer; to force or intimidate.
  • They plan to bulldoze the old building.
• Bulldog (noun): A breed of dog known for its sturdy build and tenacity.

Synonyms

• Noun (animal): Male bovine, sire.
• Noun (investor): Optimist (in market context).
• Noun (nonsense): Baloney, rubbish, hogwash.
• Verb (force): Shove, muscle, thrust.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bull through: To force one's way through something with determination or aggression.
  • Despite the opposition, the CEO bulled through the new policy.

Related Idioms

• Like a red rag to a bull: Something that is certain to provoke a strong, angry reaction.
  • Criticizing his work is like a red rag to a bull.
• Bull session: An informal group discussion.
  • We had a long bull session about politics last night.

Noun

1. mature male of various mammals of which the female is called `cow'; e.g. whales or elephants or especially cattle
2. a formal proclamation issued by the pope (usually written in antiquated characters and sealed with a leaden bulla)
3. the center of a target
4. the second sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about April 20 to May 20
5. (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Taurus
6. an investor with an optimistic market outlook; an investor who expects prices to rise and so buys now for resale later
7. uncomplimentary terms for a policeman
8. a serious and ludicrous blunder
   • he made a bad bull of the assignment
9. obscene words for unacceptable behavior
   • I put up with a lot of bullshit from that jerk
   • what he said was mostly bull
10. a large and strong and heavyset man
    • he was a bull of a man
    • a thick-skinned bruiser ready to give as good as he got
11. uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle

Verb

1. advance in price
   • stocks were bulling
2. speak insincerely or without regard for facts or truths
   • The politician was not well prepared for the debate and faked it
3. try to raise the price of stocks through speculative buying
4. push or force
   • He bulled through his demands