take off one's gloves
The phrase "take off one's gloves" originates from various historical and social contexts, often indicating a shift from formality or restraint to a more direct or aggressive approach.
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Definition
C1General
(idiomatic, informal)To act less politely or more aggressively.
Example
- During the debate, the candidates took off their gloves and started attacking each other's policies.
C2Social Etiquette
(formal)To remove formalities or restraints, often signaling a shift to a more relaxed or intense interaction.
Example
- At the end of the formal dinner, the host took off his gloves, indicating it was time to relax and socialize more freely.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "take off one's gloves":
drop the gloveslay a glove onroll up one's sleevesput up one's dukesput one's hands uphang up one's bootstake offtake one's hat off tokid gloveget one's claws outpull puncheshang up one's hatthrow hands