the noble art

the noble art (of self-defense)

The sport of boxing. Any two yahoos can get into a fistfight, but it takes real skill, dedication, and training to learn the noble art of self-defense. He spent most of his career training in the noble art before joining the world of mixed martial arts last year.
See also: art, noble
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the noble art

boxing. chiefly archaic
A fuller version of this phrase is the noble art (or science ) of self-defence .
See also: art, noble
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • noble
  • the noble art (of self-defense)
  • box it out
  • (do) you want a piece of me?
  • want a piece of me?
  • You want a piece of me?
  • throwdown gun
  • fight back at (someone or something)
  • (you) wanna piece of me?
  • slugfest
References in classic literature
This matter then, which put an end to the debate mentioned in the last chapter, was no other than a quarrel between Master Blifil and Tom Jones, the consequence of which had been a bloody nose to the former; for though Master Blifil, notwithstanding he was the younger, was in size above the other's match, yet Tom was much his superior at the noble art of boxing.
The noble art of self-defence appeared to be regarded by them as the peculiar gift of the white man; and I make little doubt that they supposed armies of Europeans were drawn up provided with nothing else but bony fists and stout hearts, with which they set to in column, and pummelled one another at the word of command.
"You may easily believe," said he, "how great was the difficulty to persuade my father that all necessary knowledge was not comprised in the noble art of bookkeeping; and, indeed, I believe I left him incredulous to the last, for his constant answer to my unwearied entreaties was the same as that of the Dutch schoolmaster in The Vicar of Wakefield:
I know no one but myself who is acquainted with the noble art of venery.
They opened my eyes to the rosier aspect of the noble art, as presently practised on the right side of the Atlantic.
I bought an approved scheme of the noble art and mystery of stenography (which cost me ten and sixpence); and plunged into a sea of perplexity that brought me, in a few weeks, to the confines of distraction.
Slightly less auspiciously the stage was also taken up by Radio Cymru's Ifan Evans, who was showing his compadre the Welsh Whisperer a thing or two about the noble art of deforesting our supine friends.
Foil Arms & Hog are Sean Finegan (Foil), Conor McKenna (Arms) and Sean Flanagan (Hog), who met at University College Dublin while studying architecture, engineering and genetics, and decided to give all that up to pursue the noble art of being downright silly, yet observational, yet sometimes very topical and refreshingly philosophical.
Foil Arms and Hog are three young Irishmen by the names of Sean Finegan, Conor McKenna and Sean Flanagan, who met at University College Dublin while studying architecture, engineering and genetics, and decided to give all that up to pursue the noble art of being downright silly, yet observational and refreshingly philosophical.
Addressing on the occasion, Irfan Siddique said 'Institute of Calligraphy will be established during the current year with an objective to promote and preserve the noble art of calligraphy which is distinctive due to its strong linkage with the religion'.
BY MARTIN DOMIN BOXING novice Conor McGregor has received secret advice from insiders of the noble art.
One section covers "The Noble Art of Ear-Piercing," a trend that continues today.
Much more besides the noble art, He showed us from the start, With words he changed both minds and hearts.
The King Who Invented Ballet: Louis XIV and the Noble Art of Dance BBC Four, 8pm David Bintley, director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, examines how Louis XIV influenced dance in the 17th and 18th century as he prepares to produce a new ballet about the French king.
Also, giving the noble art of sketching more attention will hopefully inspire more people to give it a go.