ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gloves are off

idiom

Expressing that people are arguing or competing without regard to propriety, restraint, feelings, or (even) safety.

Anchors to
Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    drop the gloves

    To fight.

  2. 02

    handle with kid gloves

    To treat (a person or a subject) very delicately or carefully, especially so as not to cause offense or controversy.

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