catch a Tartar

present singular third person catches a Tartar · participle present catching a Tartar · participle past caught a Tartar · past caught a Tartar

1. archaiccolloquialTo discover someone is much stronger, much more dangerous, or much more violent than they appeared at first, especially after laying hands on them

   What a Tartar have I caught!

   1680, John Dryden, Kind Keeper, §5.1.62

   2 more examples

   Now thou hast got me for a Tartar, To make m 'gainst my will take quarter.

   1674, Samuel Butler, Hudibras, §1.3.175

   Tell him, if he try, he may catch a Tartar.

   1720, Daniel Defoe, Life of Captain Singleton, page 281

   Synonyms: get someone for a Tartar

2. obsoletethieves' cantTo fail in attempt to rob someone who turns out to be a stronger robber.
3. archaiccolloquialfigurativelyTo discover someone who cannot be controlled or disposed of more generally.

   You must give up flirting, my boy, or if I mistake not, you'll find you've caught a Tartar.

   1897, Florence Marryat, chapter XIV, in The Blood of the Vampire