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no holds barred

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no holds barred

Fig. with no restraints. (Alludes to a wrestling match in which all holds are legal.) I intend to argue it out with Mary, no holds barred. When Ann negotiates a contract, she goes in with no holds barred and comes out with a good contract.

See also: barred, hold

no holds barred

no limits or controls This is comedy with no holds barred, and it may offend some viewers. I like nothing better than a fight with no holds barred.

See also: barred, hold

no holds barred

without limits or controls His new show may offend some viewers. This is comedy with no holds barred.

See also: barred, hold

no holds barred

Without any restrictions, as in Telephone companies are entering the market for Internet users with no holds barred. This expression comes from wrestling, where certain holds are illegal, or barred, and has been used figuratively since about 1940.

See also: barred, hold

no holds barred

mod. without restriction. (There is no affirmative version of this.) I want you to get that contract. Do anything—no holds barred.

See also: barred, hold

no holds barred

Without limits, regulations, or restraints.

See also: barred, hold