pull one's punches
1pull one's punches — {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. Not to hit as hard as you can. * /Jimmy pulled his punches and let Paul win the boxing match./ 2. To hide unpleasant facts or make them seem good. Usually used in the negative. * /The mayor spoke bluntly; he didn t pull… …
2pull one's punches — {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. Not to hit as hard as you can. * /Jimmy pulled his punches and let Paul win the boxing match./ 2. To hide unpleasant facts or make them seem good. Usually used in the negative. * /The mayor spoke bluntly; he didn t pull… …
3pull one's punches — see under ↑punch1 • • • Main Entry: ↑pull pull one s punches 1. To hold back one s blows 2. To be deliberately less hard hitting in one s criticism than one might be • • • Main Entry: ↑punch …
4pull one's punches — ► pull (one s) punches limit the severity of one s criticism or aggression. Main Entry: ↑pull …
5pull (one's) punches usu. with negative — be less forceful, severe, or violent than one could be. → pull …
6pull one’s punches — 1. tv. to pull back during a boxing punch just before the full force of a blow is felt; to land lighter blows than normal upon an opponent. (Boxing and related sports.) □ The boxer started pulling his punches, and the ref ended the fight. □ He… …
7pull\ one's\ punches — v. phr. informal 1. Not to hit as hard as you can. Jimmy pulled his punches and let Paul win the boxing match. 2. To hide unpleasant facts or make them seem good. Usually used in the negative. The mayor spoke bluntly; he didn t pull any punches.… …
8pull one's punches — Show moderation. Be gentler than one need be …
9pull one's punches — avoid defeat, remain idle …
10pull punches — pull (one s) punches [usu. with negative] be less forceful, severe, or violent than one could be a smooth tongued critic who doesn t pull his punches * * * pull punches : to express criticism in a mild or kind way usually used in negative… …
