"Poke the bear" is an idiomatic expression meaning to intentionally provoke or antagonize a powerful or dangerous person, typically someone in a position of authority or influence. It suggests taking actions or saying things that could potentially result in adverse consequences or backlash. The phrase is often used metaphorically to caution against needlessly provoking someone who has the ability to respond strongly or aggressively.
Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: Antagonize a powerful figure. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.