grasping the nettle, n.All

Grasping the nettle (n.) works ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠literally: brush against it and you are stung; grip it firmly, pressing the spines flat, and it cannot sting you.