Usually means: Encounter someone unexpectedly challenging.
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We found 4 dictionaries that define the word catch a Tartar:

General (4 matching dictionaries)
  1. catch a Tartar: Wiktionary
  2. catch a Tartar: Dictionary.com
  3. Catch a Tartar: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898)
  4. catch a Tartar: TheFreeDictionary.com

Definitions from Wiktionary (catch a Tartar)

verb:  (archaic, colloquial) To discover someone is much stronger, much more dangerous, and/or much more violent than they appeared at first, especially after laying hands on them or (thieves' cant, obsolete) in a failed attempt to rob someone who turns out to be a stronger robber.
verb:  (archaic, colloquial, figurative) To discover someone who cannot be controlled or disposed of more generally.

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