loaded for bear

English

An allusion to equipping oneself with the sort of heavy weaponry suitable for hunting large animals.

loaded for bear (not comparable)

(idiomatic) Thoroughly equipped, as for a demanding task or confrontation.
- 1955, Edward Latimer Beach, chapter 6, in Run Silent, Run Deep:
  "The whole Jap Navy," said Captain Sams, waving at a map of Japan on the wall behind him, "has been steaming across the Pacific loaded for bear."
(idiomatic) Mentally prepared for a daunting situation or confrontation.
- 1917, L[ucy] M[aud] Montgomery, chapter 35, in Anne’s House of Dreams, Toronto, Ont.: McClelland & Stewart, published 1920, →OCLC:
  Every Elliott and Crawford and MacAllister is on the warpath, loaded for bear.

thoroughly equipped