The term bear hug has a few different meanings. The one most people are familiar with is a nice, warm embrace. It’s not a light casual hug. It is a meaningful, strong hug that might last more than a few seconds. A hug from a friendly bear might feel the way most people imagine a bear hug feeling.
In wrestling, a bear hug is a hold in which one person has both hands wrapped around their opponent’s torso or thighs, sometimes with the arms pinned in the hold.
In business, the term bear hug means an offer to acquire a company that was unsolicited and so generous and perhaps even overpriced that the company shareholders would have a hard time refusing the offer.
Bear Hug Meaning: The Origins of the Phrase
A bear hug is a meaningful, strong hug that might last more than a few seconds.
©Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock.com
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the phrase “bear hug” was first used as a noun in writing around 1837 and as a verb around 1907.
The name for the wrestling move originated when a black bear named Terrible Ted performed during wrestling exhibitions between 1950 and 1975 in the USA and Canada. He would often use that move on his wrestling opponents.
Bear Hug Meaning: Examples of Everyday Use of the Phrase “A Bear Hug”
You can use this phrase anytime you want to describe greeting someone with a nice big and strong hug. For example, when you first greet your friend after a trip or see your partner at the end of a long day. You can use this idiom as long as it is a heartfelt and full, long hug.
In a wrestling context, you would only use this phrase when you see someone using that exact hold during a wrestling match. In a business context, you would only use this phrase to describe an overly generous unsolicited acquisition offer.
A Useful Way To Illustrate the Phrase “A Bear Hug”
Bear hugs are the best!
©iStock.com/likster
The following is a fictional story to describe how you might use the phrase “a bear hug” in everyday life.
Imagine that you are having a really heartfelt conversation with one of your closest friends. They are going through a hard time and telling you all about it. You give them some really great advice, and you feel emotionally close to them at that moment. At the end of the conversation, you give your friend a long, strong hug lasting more than a few seconds. It is a warm hug that conveys the closeness of your friendship and that you are there for your friend. That would be a bear hug!
Bear Hug Meaning: A Real-Life Example From CNN
At the 2023 Grammy Awards, host Trevor Noah arranged a special meeting live during the ceremony. He mentioned that he learned that singer Adele had always wanted to meet Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson but never had and that The Rock is also a fan of Adele’s. Now, if you’re unfamiliar, The Rock is a big guy. He stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and seems to be made of pure muscle. Trevor Noah arranged for the two to meet in the audience during the show, and their first hug upon meeting was long and warm and was described as a bear hug in an article about the encounter on CNN.
Possible Pros and Cons of Using the Phrase “A Bear Hug”
There aren’t really any cons to describing a hug as a bear hug.
©KoSei/Shutterstock.com
This is a very innocuous phrase to use. There aren’t really any cons to describing a hug as a bear hug. It is a nice term to show that a hug was truly heartfelt.
When it comes to wrestling, using the phrase to describe the wrestling move is equally unproblematic. It is simply a term to describe it.
In business, calling a deal a bear hug might be offensive if the deal was not actually meant to be one. So, choose your words wisely.
There are pros and cons to giving bear hugs themselves. You would never want to give a strong hug to someone who didn’t want one. It’s polite to ask someone if they want a hug before you give them one! If someone says they don’t want one, you should be prepared to accept no as an answer and offer a handshake or simple wave instead. If they say they are OK with it, then you can go ahead and give a nice big bear hug!
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock.com
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the meaning of the phrase "a bear hug"?
The term bear hug has a few different meanings. The one most people are familiar with is a nice, warm embrace.
In wrestling, a bear hug is a specific hold in which one person has both hands wrapped around their opponent’s torso or thighs, sometimes with the arms also pinned in the hold.
In business, the term bear hug means an offer to acquire a company that was not only unsolicited but is so generous and perhaps even overpriced that the shareholders of the company would have a hard time refusing the offer.
What is the origin of the phrase "a bear hug"?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the phrase “bear hug” was first used as a noun in writing around the year 1837, and as a verb around the year 1907.
The name for the wrestling move originated when an actual black bear named Terrible Ted performed during wrestling exhibitions between 1950 and 1975 in the USA and Canada.
When would you use the phrase "a bear hug?"
You can use this phrase anytime you want to describe greeting someone with a nice big and strong hug.
In a wrestling context, you would only use this phrase when you see someone using that exact hold during a wrestling match. In a business context, you would only use this phrase to describe an overly generous unsolicited acquisition offer.
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