У-46

ЗАКУСЫВАТЬ/ЗАКУСИТЬ УДИЛА VP subj: human being irritated or agitated, to act rashly, imprudently, without restraint or common sense

X закусил удила = X took the bit between (in) his teeth.

«Можно с вами идти?» - спросил он. «Конечно, - не мне с вами опасно, а вам со мной. Но Лондон велик...» - «Я не боюсь, - и тут вдруг, закусивши удила, он быстро проговорил: - Я никогда не возвращусь в Россию...» (Герцен 3). "May I walk with you?" he asked. "Of course, there is no danger for me in being seen with you, though there is for you in being seen with me. But London is a big place." "I am not afraid"—and then all at once, taking the bit between his teeth, he hurriedly burst out: "I shall never go back to Russia..." (3a).