Meaning of 'Gloves are off'
What does the saying 'Gloves are off' mean?
Idiom: Gloves are off
Meaning:
When the gloves are off, people start to argue or fight in a more serious way.
('The gloves come off' and 'take the gloves off' are also used. It comes from boxing, where fighters normally wear gloves so that they don't do too much damage to each other.)
Country: International English |
Subject Area: Clothes |
Usage Type: Both or All Words Used
All idioms have been editorially reviewed. Submitted idioms may have been edited for correctness and completeness.
« Previous: Glory hound
Next: Glutton for punishment »
Similar Idioms
Idiom eBooks from UsingEnglish.com
Explore our collection of idiom eBooks to deepen your understanding of English expressions. Download curated lists of idioms in PDF format - ideal for offline study or classroom use!
Know of an idiom that’s missing? Suggest an idiom using our online form.
See also:
- View examples in Google: Gloves are off
- Idiom Quizzes