drop the gloves

drop the gloves

1. In ice hockey, to engage in or prepare for a fistfight, i.e., by discarding one's gloves immediately beforehand. In an effort to keep this game under control, referees are getting in between players, warning them not to drop their gloves. With tension rising between them all night, the two players dropped the gloves as soon as the whistle blew.
2. By extension, to engage in or prepare for any fight, dispute, or confrontation in which the participants' actions or sentiments are unrestrained or unmitigated. The two presidential candidates dropped their gloves at the debate last night. A spokeswoman said the video game company was prepared to drop the gloves to combat online piracy.
See also: drop, glove
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • (do) you want a piece of me?
  • want a piece of me?
  • You want a piece of me?
  • go the knuckle
  • percent
  • a hundred and ten percent
  • (you) wanna piece of me?
  • box it out
  • fireworks
  • daily
References in periodicals archive
The insignia may not be an insignificant issue for his fans, but the cricketing field is no place to drop the gloves.
Their job was simple: Get under the skin of an opponent at every possible moment and always be ready to drop the gloves.
After scoring, at 18.33, Boxill was to drop the gloves with Blaze's player/assistant coach Kevin Noble following a huge hit by the Coventry defenceman.
"The important part is that he can bring a physical element to our team and, when needed, he can drop the gloves and really stand up for the team."
He will go head-to-head with one of the toughest teams Devils have recruited in years with Jesse Mychan, Doug Clarkson, Andrew Hotham, Tyson Marsh and more willing to drop the gloves and fight at the right times.
As usual, the Sharks were quite willing to drop the gloves. Jimmy Bonneau and Tim Spencer went early in the game, then Cody Bass jumped Curt Gogol 10 seconds after Wingels' goal.
"Sometimes you just know when its time to drop the gloves, and Saturday was one of those nights," said Hoffman, who also scored a goal to help the Giants stay on top of the Elite League standings.
"The fans obviously enjoy seeing guys drop the gloves, and that may happen with Voth in town, but people shouldn't underestimate the other benefits of having an enforcer on board."
Whereas the Vipers of yore were rarely slow to drop the gloves and trade it with opposition hard men, Gouett has explained why this season has been one of restraint.
If IPTV proves lucrative, Sarft and MII could drop the gloves in a battle over control of that new revenue stream.
Belak will strike fear into teams across the country having been taught how to drop the gloves and pummel opponents on ice by the most feared fighter in the NHL - Toronto team-mate Tie Domi.
With the Panthers star showing no interest to drop the gloves, Domi punched him in the face twice, but still Ekblad didn't respond.
Linden Springer picking up a 2+10 instigator penalty forcing Ben Lake to drop the gloves just 12 seconds in.
Jesse Mychan, Doug Clarkson, Tyson Marsh, Josh Batch are among those prepared to drop the gloves and fight if it's right for the team and Devils are a tough, aggressive team, but Lord's men also have a focus on fast, skilled hockey.
He also fought Troy Bodie, who really wanted to drop the gloves with Stuart with 5:20 left.