have a tiger by the tail 骑虎难下
这个短语的字面意思是:抓住老虎的尾巴。这是非常危险的局面,如果松开手,肯定对付不了凶猛的老虎。但是抓住老虎尾巴不放,看来也是凶多吉少,因为实际上本来也没有任何制服老虎的可能。中文所说的“骑虎难下”其实同这个短语的意思非常接近。
Once you start using heroin, you'll have a tiger by the tail. If you get hooked, you'll need more and more, it'll cost you more money, and you might have to steal to support the habit.
你一旦开始用海洛因,就很难找到退路。上瘾之后,需要量越来越大,需要更多的钱,甚至还要为了满足毒瘾去偷窃