bear-baiting
Noun (mass noun):
A historical blood sport in which a bear is chained to a post or stake, and dogs are set upon it to attack, for the entertainment of spectators.
Bear-baiting was a popular form of entertainment in Elizabethan England.
(A cruel public spectacle involving bears and dogs.)The practice of bear-baiting was eventually banned in the 19th century due to growing concerns about animal cruelty.
(The activity was outlawed because of its violent nature.)
"to engage in bear-baiting": to participate in or organize this sport.
The local gentry would often engage in bear-baiting on holidays.
(They would take part in this brutal pastime.)"bear-baiting pit": the arena or enclosure where the event took place.
The remains of a bear-baiting pit were discovered during the archaeological dig.
(A sunken area used for the sport.)
Bear (n): a large, powerful mammal (Ursidae) that is the target in this sport.
The bear was often muzzled or chained to prevent it from escaping.
(The animal used in bear-baiting.)Baiting (n): the act of setting dogs or other animals to attack a chained or confined animal for sport.
Baiting was a common form of entertainment in medieval Europe.
(The general practice of using animals in such contests.)
- Bull-baiting: a similar sport involving bulls instead of bears.
- Blood sport: any sport involving the killing or injuring of animals for entertainment. (A violent activity.)
"like a bear with a sore head": to be in a very irritable mood.
After losing the match, he was like a bear with a sore head. (Extremely grumpy.)
(Note: This idiom does not directly relate to bear-baiting but uses the word "bear".)"to bait the bear": to provoke or tease someone in a way that might cause a strong reaction.
Stop baiting the bear — you know he gets angry easily. (Deliberately annoying someone.)
(This phrase metaphorically extends the concept of bear-baiting to human interactions.)