pull punches

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: pulls punches, pulled punches

Antonyms: pulls punches, pulled punches

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Verb

1. {{lb|en|originally|boxing}} To avoid using a high level of force when [[punch]]ing.
2. {{lb|en|figuratively|chiefly in the negative}} To [[act]] with [[reserve]]; ''especially'', to [[word]] something [[delicately]] to avoid giving [[offense]] or inciting [[anger]].

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.