drop the gloves
The phrase "drop the gloves" originates from ice hockey, where players literally drop their gloves before engaging in a fight, symbolizing the removal of barriers to conflict.
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Definition
B2Ice Hockey
(idiomatic, sports)To remove one's gloves in preparation for a physical fight on the ice.
Example
- The two players dropped the gloves and started fighting right in the middle of the game.
B2General
(idiomatic)To abandon restraint and engage in a fierce dispute or confrontation.
Example
- During the heated debate, both politicians dropped the gloves and argued intensely.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "drop the gloves":
take off one's glovesknuckle upput up one's dukesthrow handsthrow downlay a glove onduke it outbare knucklecome to blowsdrop trou