auribus teneo lupum

I hold a wolf by the ears

Notes

A common ancient proverb, this version from Terence. Indicates that one is in a dangerous situation where both holding on and letting go could be deadly. A modern version is "To have a tiger by the tail."

Words

aura – breeze, heaven
tener – delicate, soft, tender, young
teneo – endure, hold, keep, know, maintain, persevere, persist, possess, to grasp, to hold, to keep on, to occupy, understand