A fork of Rural Dictionary
1. An idiom referring to a situation where you're screwed no matter what you do; if you're literally holding a tiger by the tail, it won't attack you - until you let go of its tail. But you have to let go in order to run from it, and it WILL chase you down.
2. A song by country singer "Buck" Owens. Arguably his signature song.
I've got a tiger by the tail, it's plain to see
I won't be much when you get through with me
Well, I'm losing weight and turning mighty pale
Looks like I've got a tiger by the tail