pull punches

Related to pull punches: cut some slack, rolls with the punches

pull (one's) punches

1. To act as if one is punching someone, without making any or much physical contact. How dare you—I have never pulled my punches during a fight in my entire career! I know you're trying to make the scene realistic, but please pull your punches next time!
2. By extension, to restrain one's commentary or criticism to avoid offending or upsetting someone. (Usually used in the negative.) I want your honest opinion of my story—don't pull your punches! Wow, your aunt really doesn't pull her punches. Is my sweatshirt really that ugly?
See also: pull, punch
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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.
See also: pull, punch
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

pull (one's) punches

To refrain from deploying all the resources or force at one's disposal: didn't pull any punches during the negotiations.
See also: pull, punch
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • pull one’s punches
  • pull your punches
  • dare
  • do a dare
  • bust (someone or something) wide open
  • bust someone wide open
  • bust something wide open
  • bust wide open
  • not pull (one's) punches
  • not pull your punches
References in periodicals archive
"It's a very balanced report that also doesn't pull punches," says Ray A.
Reviewers see red over recent Mars programs
Given the chance to write about General Motors from the inside, Drucker didn't pull punches. In "Concept of the Corporation," the first serious inside examination of a huge profit-making institution, he criticized G.M.'s labor relations and called for many reforms of employee relations.
The World According to Peter Drucker
TODAY we give you the unvarnished truth about life on the NHS frontline from a hospital doctor who doesn't pull punches.
Face doc's harsh truth; VOICE OF THE
C4 rarely pull punches, but this series really hits home with its authenticity, not to mention a knock-out cast.
Olivia Colman heads stellar line-up in new C4 series
But Young was in no mood to pull punches. The defender said: "We were a shambles at the start.
Football: Below Par show fooling nobody; PREMIERSHIP
Jacobson doesn't pull punches on granddad's involvement with such shady underworld figures as Frank Costello.
Toots
"Villa epitomise everything that is bad about the Premiership," Garner had said, refusing to pull punches.
Football: Sucker-punch sinks Villa; Impressive first-half display just lacks goals but price is a costly one as Rovers climb up off the deck to land a devastating one-two BLACKBURN 2 VILLA 0
She believes children need guidance from adults and, despite the darker subjects of some of her books, readily admits to having to pull punches in her stories to protect her readers from the darker sides of life"The mass murder in The House of the Scorpion was a time when I pulled back.
Books: An author who still treats kids like adults; Nancy Farmer is a children's author who isn't afraid to push the boundaries, as Jayne Howarth finds out
ACTION HERO: Sean William Scott doesn't pull punches; BULLETPROOF: Victoria plays Nina alongside Jamie King
PEE-LIST CELEBRITY; Star Victoria forced to go to loo behind trailer in sub-zero temperatures while filming
"It's a war and you cannot pull punches. You must do what it takes.
HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY; One year on, and City boss Hammam is still spending
But Brown was in no mood to pull punches and declared: "Against Estonia we were poor in terms of our overall performance."
Football: Listen here men, I have got one final mission for you; CAPTAIN CRAIG'S LAST CALL TO OLD GUARD BEFORE KIDS ARE DRAFTED IN ..
"It was specifically said out loud - they don't pull punches. They weren't being mean or saying it was a good idea - it's just statistically the way it's been for women.
Pink sees red over sexism; DMUULS mirror.co.uk SATURDAY 09.12.2017 DAILY MIRROR 27 3am@mirror.co.uk mirror.co.uk am WEEKEND with ASHLEIGH RAINBIRD COAT OF
Tarantino pull punches? You wouldn't expect it and it won't happen.
culture: Tarantino comes crashing back; The latest Quentin Tarantino film is always an event, if often a stomach churning one. He tells Nathan Vale about Death Proof, out tomorrow. Nathan Vale