pull one's punches
11pull — ► VERB 1) exert force on (something) so as to move it towards oneself or the origin of the force. 2) remove by pulling. 3) informal bring out (a weapon) for use. 4) move steadily: the bus pulled away. 5) move oneself with effort or against… …
12pull — [pool] vt. [ME pullen < OE pullian, to pluck, snatch with the fingers: ? akin to MLowG pull, a husk, shell] 1. to exert force or influence on so as to cause to move toward or after the source of the force; drag, tug, draw, attract, etc. 2. a)… …
13pull punches — ► pull (one s) punches limit the severity of one s criticism or aggression. Main Entry: ↑pull …
14pull — /pʊl / (say pool) verb (t) 1. to draw or haul towards oneself or itself, in a particular direction, or into a particular position: to pull a sledge up a hill. 2. to draw or tug at with force: to pull a person s hair. 3. to draw, rend, or tear… …
15pull — v. & n. v. 1 tr. exert force upon (a thing) tending to move it to oneself or the origin of the force (stop pulling my hair). 2 tr. cause to move in this way (pulled it nearer; pulled me into the room). 3 intr. exert a pulling force (the horse… …
16pull — verb 1》 exert force on so as to cause movement towards oneself or the origin of the force. ↘be attached to the front and be the source of forward movement of (a vehicle). ↘remove by pulling. ↘(pull at/on) inhale deeply while drawing… …
17pull — {{11}}pull (n.) personal or private influence, 1889, Amer.Eng., from PULL (Cf. pull) (v.). {{12}}pull (v.) O.E. pullian to pluck or draw out, of unknown origin, perhaps related to Low Ger. pulen remove the shell or husk. Original sense preserved… …
18pull — 1. n. a drink; a swig; a drink from a flask. □ He took another pull and kept on talking. □ Can I have a pull? 2. tv. to take a drink or a mouthful of liquor from a bottle or other container. □ He pulled a slug from the bottle …
19pull no punches — to deal with something honestly without hiding anything. One congressional leader pulled no punches, saying “we have a recession.” The 20 minute training video pulls no punches, showing chilling pictures of accident victims. Usage notes: often… …
20pull punches — idi a) to lessen the force of one s punches deliberately b) idi inf Informal. to restrain oneself from full action; hold back …
