gloves are off
(Redirected from the gloves are off)
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
One possible etymology comes from the sport of boxing, where competitors fistfight wearing padded gloves; removing the gloves during a fight could result in serious physical injury. Another comes from the trend of gentlemen wearing gloves as part of their outfit; these gloves would often be taken off before engaging in rough behavior.
Phrase edit
- People are arguing or competing without regard to their actions or each other's feelings.
- The gloves are off in this match; both teams are purposely committing fouls against opposing players!
- 2023 October 18, Mel Holley, “Network News: Harper attacks Labour over strikes... but unions hit back”, in RAIL, number 994, page 18:
- The gloves were off at the Conservative Party annual conference in Manchester on October 2, with Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper spending much of his speech attacking Labour and the unions.
See also edit
- (in an uncontrolled or difficult situation): when push comes to shove, when the chips are down, in a pinch
- knockdown-dragout
- the knives are out