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General

feeding the bears

What does feeding the bears mean?

Paying a speeding ticket, or driving in a way that's about to get you one. Said with a wince — nobody feeds the bears on purpose.

"Slow it down through Macon, driver, or you'll be feeding the bears before lunch."

Origin

Built on CB's core metaphor: cops = bears (from Smokey Bear, the Forest Service mascot in the wide-brim hat that state troopers wore). "Feeding" them = handing over money via a ticket.

Frequently asked questions

What does feeding the bears mean?
It means getting a ticket — or speeding hard enough that you're about to get one.
How do you use feeding the bears in a sentence?
"Slow down or you'll be feeding the bears before we hit the next exit."
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.