teɪk ðə ɡlʌvz ɒf
Sports
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- remove boxing gloves to fight with bare fists
What does "take the gloves off" mean?
to stop being gentle and begin to fight or compete aggressively
Examples
- The negotiations were polite at first, but both sides have taken the gloves off.
- When the debate turned to taxes, the candidates really took the gloves off.
- After months of quiet competition, the two companies took the gloves off.
Origin
From boxing, where removing gloves would make the fight more brutal.
How to use it
Used when a conflict escalates from civil to aggressive.
Similar expressions
go all out
pull no punches
play hardball
Opposites
pull punches
go easy
play nice
Related idioms
- no pain no gain
Success requires hard work and sacrifice
- ball is in your court
It's your turn to take action or make a decision
- like riding a bicycle
A skill that, once learned, is never forgotten
- drop the ball
To fail to do something important; to make a mistake
- level playing field
A situation where everyone has an equal opportunity
- on the ball
Alert and competent
Use it in a practice answer
Try "take the gloves off" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.