gloves off
Ready to fight
Gloves off describes a situation where restraint has been abandoned and opponents fight without holding back.
The image comes from boxing—bare-knuckle fighting is more brutal than with padded gloves.
Usually appears as the gloves are off or with the gloves off: Once she mentioned the inheritance, the gloves came off.
- bare knuckleWithout protective hand coverings
- brass knucklesHand-worn striking weapon
- fightPhysical or verbal conflict
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
brutal · ruthless · no mercy · battle · fierce · boxing · no holds barred · raw · unrestrained · hostile · attack · showdown · hardball · down and dirty · savage · merciless · combat · slugfest
gloves offkid gloves
Fine leather handwear
with kid gloves · holding back · restrained · soft touch · playing nice
gloves offdiplomatic
Tactful and sensitive
tactful · politic · conciliatory · accommodating · deferential
gloves offdiplomatic
Tactful and sensitive
tactful · conciliatory · polite · civil · courteous