10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «PULL ONE'S PUNCHES»
Discover the use of
pull one's punches in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to
pull one's punches and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.
1
The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, Second Edition
This expression comes from boxing, where to pull one's punches means “to hit
less hard than one can.” This idiom, too, has been applied more generally, as in
They decided to pull their punches during these delicate negotiations. [First half
of ...
2
The Wordsworth Dictionary of Idioms
[From the puppet-show character, who is depicted as gleefully triumphant in his
antisocial behaviour.] pull one's punches to use less force in attacking than one is
really capable of: He didn't pull his punches when he criticized her work.
Elizabeth McLaren Kirkpatrick, C. M. Schwarz, 1993
3
Sterling Dictionary of Idioms
pull one's punches (negative) attack one less vigorously than one is able to She
didn 't really pull any punches when it came to evaluating their work. pull rank on
somebody make use of one's status in society to gain advantages to which one ...
4
Oxford Dictionary of English
Pull the other one! pull out all the stops see STOP. pull the plug informal prevent
something from happening or continuing: the company pulled the plug on the
deal. pull (one's) punches [usu. with negative] be less forceful, severe, or violent ...
5
Chambers Universal Learners' Dictionary
... He pulled on his shoes ; He pulled them on hurriedly. pull oneself together ( in/
) to control oneself ; to regain one's self-control : .41 first she was terrified, then
she pulled herself together. pull one's punches see punch, pull one's socks up
see ...
6
Shorter Slang Dictionary
Since the later 19th century. pull (one's) punches (often negative) toexercise
moderation, esp. inshe pulled in criticism or punishment, as no punches. Of
boxing origin; in general use since around 1950. pull rankto exercise superiority
ofrank ...
Paul Beale, Eric Partridge, Rosalind Fergusson, 2003
7
Conceptualizations and Mental Processing in Language
Richard A. Geiger, Brygida Rudzka-Ostyn. Violent actions A first subdomain is
that of boxing, with examples like spar, pull one's punches, beat someone to the
punch, punchline. Here we are dealing with an organized, rule-governed activity.
Richard A. Geiger, Brygida Rudzka-Ostyn, 1993
8
A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English
See also gallop (one's) maggot. pull (one's) punches. To exercise moderation,
esp. in punishment or in blame: boxing coll. (since ca. 1930) become, ca. 1950,
gen. coll. Often in negative, as 'They pulled no punches when it came to...' pull
rank ...
9
Advanced Learner's Dictionary
2 a roadside cafe. pull off to complete or perform successfully. pull oneself
together to regain one's self-control: 'Pull yourself together and stop behaving like
a baby1' pull one's punches to criticize, scold, etc., with deliberate restraint. pull
one's ...
10
Gabay's Copywriters' Compendium
Pull Like pulling teeth Pull (one's) punches Pull a face Pull a fast one Pull one's
socks up Pull one's weight Pull oneself together Pull out all the stops Pull rank
Pull someone's leg Pull strings (or wires) Pull the other one (it's got bells on!) ...
