Origin of Phrases - L
Loaded for bear
Meaning: To be aggressively seeking a confrontation.
Example: Presidential opponents are typically loaded for bear waiting for missteps in office. Clinton provided many opportunities to load up.
Origin: Old muskets were loaded by pouring gunpowder down the barrel, followed by the shot. The power of a given charge could be adjusted by adding more or less gunpowder.
When hunting large animals like bear, a large and powerful gunpowder charge would be loaded into the musket. Hence loaded for bear is to be hunting with a powerful charge ready.