get one's claws out

of an animal with claws idiomatic of a person

Japanese Meaning

攻撃や反撃の準備をする / 攻撃的態度を取る、反撃する体勢を整える

When cornered, an animal will instinctively get one's claws out to defend itself.

追い詰められると、動物は本能的に攻撃したり反撃したりするために爪を立てる。

Sense（1）

(of an animal with claws) To prepare to attack or retaliate

That cat will always get its claws out when it sees a mouse.

Sense（2）

(of a person, idiomatic) To prepare to attack or retaliate

You'd better watch out: she's got her claws out for you.

gets one's claws out

（ present singular third-person ）

getting one's claws out

（ participle present ）

got one's claws out

（ past ）

got one's claws out

（ UK participle past ）

gotten one's claws out

（ US participle past ）