Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

loaded for bear

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.12 in modern English

Syllables: load-ed -for bear
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Thoroughly equipped, as for a demanding task or confrontation.

adj

Mentally prepared for a daunting situation or confrontation.

Example Sentences

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

Etymology

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

Phrases

lock and load arm to the teeth

Frequently Paired Words

lock and load arm to the teeth

Questions

What does loaded for bear mean?: Thoroughly equipped, as for a demanding task or confrontation.
Where does loaded for bear come from?: An allusion to equipping oneself with the sort of heavy weaponry suitable for hunting large animals.

How to pronounce loaded for bear

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “loaded for bear”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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