{adv. phr.} To have your own way; take charge of things; take control of something. * /When Mary wanted something, she was likely to take the bit in her teeth and her parents could do nothing with her./ Compare: TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS, TAKE THE LAW INTO ONE'S OWN HANDS.
TAKE THE BIT IN ONE'S TEETH
Meaning of TAKE THE BIT IN ONE'S TEETH in English
Dictionary of English idioms . Словарь английских идиом. 2012