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pull punches

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pull one's punches

 

1. [for a boxer] to strike with light blows to enable the other boxer to win. Bill has been barred from the boxing ring for pulling his punches. "I never pulled punches in my life!" cried Tom.

2. Fig. to hold back in one's criticism. (Usually in the negative. The one's can be replaced with any in the negative.) I didn't pull any punches. I told her exactly what I thought of her. The teacher doesn't pull any punches when it comes to discipline.

See also: pull, punch

pull your/its punches

to deal with something in a way that is not completely honest I want you to tell me what you think, and don't pull your punches. The film pulls its punches by making a disaster seem romantic.

Opposite of: pull no punches

Etymology: based on boxing, from the literal meaning of pull your punches ( to not hit the other fighter as hard as you can)

See also: pull, punch

pull (one's) punches

To refrain from deploying all the resources or force at one's disposal: didn't pull any punches during the negotiations.

See also: pull, punch