1
general::
Confront a problem head-on, as in We'll have to take the bull by the horns and tackle the Medicare question. This term most likely alludes to grasping a safely tethered bull, not one the matador is fighting in the ring. [c. 1800]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): take the bull by the horns
Fig. to confront a problem head-on and deal with it openly. • It’s time to take the bull by the horns and get this job done.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs