no holds barred
Without any limits
No holds barred describes a situation without rules or restrictions.
The phrase comes from wrestling, where certain grips were traditionally forbidden—a no-holds-barred match allowed any technique.
Now it applies to any unrestricted competition or confrontation: a no-holds-barred debate, no-holds-barred criticism.
The implication is intensity, even brutality.
Engaging in physical conflict
- brawlingFighting noisily in public
- grapplingClose-quarters combat technique
- submissionYielding to another's will
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
takedown · slugfest · pummeling · wrestling · striking · clinch · bloodsport · cage match
Without removed content
- unfilteredNot passed through screen
- uninhibitedFree from self-censorship
- unrestrainedNot held back
- wide-openFully extended or unrestricted
limitless · unbridled · freewheeling · lawless · unregulated · unchecked · extreme · hardcore
Organized competitive event
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
- battleArmed military engagement
rivalry · duel · championship · tournament · elimination · grudge match · free-for-all · cutthroat
fighting
Engaging in physical conflict
- brawlingFighting noisily in public
- grapplingClose-quarters combat technique
- submissionYielding to another's will
knockout · takedown · slugfest · pummeling · wrestling · striking · clinch · bloodsport · cage match · bare-knuckle
uncensored
Without removed content
- unfilteredNot passed through screen
- uninhibitedFree from self-censorship
- unrestrainedNot held back
wide-open · limitless · unbridled · freewheeling · lawless · unregulated · unchecked · extreme · hardcore · explicit
contest
Organized competitive event
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
battle · rivalry · duel · championship · tournament · elimination · grudge match · free-for-all · cutthroat · winner-take-all
- Competition idiomslevel playing field, down to the wire, neck and neck, win hands down, come from behind
- fighting wordsfight me, bring it, square up, throw hands, step outside
- maximum effortall-out, full throttle, go all out, go hard, all in
- Old Idiomsbeyond the pale, hue and cry, scot-free, knight in shining armor, eat humble pie
- completenesscomplete, completely, entire, totally, total
- going all outgo all out, max out, go hard, full throttle, all in
no holds barredrestricted
Limited in scope
regulated · limited · rule-bound · controlled · constrained
no holds barredrestrained
Held under control
measured · held back · with kid gloves · inhibited · gentle
hold, holder, holding, uphold, barred, holds, behold, withholding, beholder