Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

pull one's punches

idiom

/pʊl wʌnz pʌnʧɪz/

Definition

To hold back in one’s actions or words, particularly in criticism or effort; to soften the impact of something.

Examples

Despite his disagreement, he decided to pull his punches during the discussion to maintain harmony.
She doesn’t usually pull her punches when it comes to giving feedback on the team’s performance.
In her review, she pulled her punches to avoid hurting the author’s feelings.

Meaning

This phrase originates from boxing, where a fighter may not hit their opponent as hard as they could, often to avoid causing too much harm. In broader contexts, it refers to being less harsh or direct in communication or actions.