It is a situation that a boy who wanted to retaliate to another one but was
prevented by an officer.

The first boy: はなせっ あのやろうとケリをつけるんだ こないだの借りをたたきかえしてやるんだっ

The officer (said to the first boy): この問題児めおまえに **歯のたつ相手** か！

In my opinion, the officer would ask something about how the first boy
retaliate to the another one by using his teeth. However, I don't see any
transitive verb to use with 'his teeth'. Is it possible that the phrase
contains figurative meaning?
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2016-09-29T16:36:59.760
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2016-10-20T22:57:09.327
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question
manga phrases
What is the meaning of the phrase 「歯のたつ相手」?
I'm guessing it has to do with
[歯が立たない](https://kotobank.jp/word/%E6%AD%AF%E3%81%8C%E7%AB%8B%E3%81%9F%E3%81%AA%E3%81%84-597790).

> ②自分の力が弱くて，対抗することや理解することができない。

But in the manga it is said in the affirmative + か, probably meaning:

"You think you're stronger than him??!" or something along those lines.
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2016-09-29T17:01:47.803
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* おまえに歯の立つ相手か！

  * Do you think you stand a chance? -- (a fighting chance, literally) 

> 鳴門秘帖 <https://books.google.co.jp/books?id=ng3nBgAAQBAJ>
>
> 吉川英治 --
> 不意に名を指されたいぶかしさに、思わずそこから振りかえると、「そちに歯の立つ相手ではない。必ずとも追ってはならぬ」「や?・・・・・・もし」と銀五郎、戻ってくるなり虚無僧の足もとへ片膝片手をつきながら、「まず何よりは、今のお礼から申し上げなくっちゃなり
> ...

  * 「そちに歯の立つ相手ではない。必ずとも追ってはならぬ」

  * [He's no match for you. Do not pursue.]

おまえに歯の立つ相手か！ -- this か is actually negative. (rhetorical question)
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhetorical_question>

> <http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/34861/meaning/m0u/%E3%81%8B/>  
>  ２. 反語の意を表す。「いいかげんな意見にどうして賛成できよう―」
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2016-09-30T01:06:19.673
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