punches Idiom

pull punches

talk nice, ease up, take it easy on you If the service is poor, he doesn't pull punches. He complains.

roll with the punches

be a flexible competitor, pick yourself up In politics you learn to roll with the punches and keep going.

pull one's punches

Idiom(s): pull one's punches

Theme: CRITICISM

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

Pull no punches

If you pull no punches, you hold nothing back.

Pull your punches

If you pull your punches, you do not use all the power or authority at your disposal.

pull one's punches|pull|punch|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.
Antonym: STRAIGHT PROM THE SHOULDER.

More Idioms/Phrases

public-address system puffed up pull a fast one pull date pull down pull off pull one's chestnuts out of the fire pull one's leg pull one's punches pull one's teeth pull one's weight pull oneself together pull oneself up by the bootstraps pull out pull out of a hat pull over pull rank

English Vocalbulary

pull socks up pull switch pull system pull the strings pull the wool over eyes pull through pull to bits pull to pieces pull together pull up pull up short pull up stakes pull up stokes pull up to pull with pulled pulled a boner pulled a face