Bull at a gate

To go at something like a bull at a gate is to behave with uncontrolled impetuosity, rather like a bull trying to smash down a restraining gate. A great many English pubs are called “The Bull and Gate” and there is written evidence to suggest that these pubs were so-called to mark the capture of the town of Boulogne in 1544 by Henry VIII. The Bull of course was Henry and the Gate was the fortified entrance to Boulogne, which Henry smashed down rather like a bull at a gate.