[Idiom] PULL YOUR PUNCHES. - Strategic Holding Back in Competitive Settings

not using full force

'Pull your punches' originally comes from boxing, where a fighter deliberately weakens his punches to avoid seriously injuring his opponent or to manipulate the fight's outcome. More broadly, it suggests holding back or moderating one's actions to achieve a strategic advantage or to avoid unnecessary harm or conflict in any competitive or conflictual scenario.

Example Sentences

1. The boxer refused to pull any punches in his fight.

   The boxer fought with full force and did not hold back.

2. During the debate, she did not pull her punches when criticizing her opponent’s policies.

   She was very direct and critical of her opponent’s policies during the debate.

3. In his movie review, the critic pulled no punches, highlighting all its flaws.

   The critic was very straightforward and highlighted all the flaws in the movie.