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Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs