Meaning of gloves are off | Babel Free

Definitions

Expressing that people are arguing or competing without regard to propriety, restraint, feelings, or (even) safety.

idiomatic

Examples

“The gloves are off in this match; both teams are purposely committing fouls against opposing players!”

“In the early years after 9/11, it was often said of antiterrorism that "the gloves are off now."”

“The gloves were off at the Conservative Party annual conference in Manchester on October 2, with Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper spending much of his speech attacking Labour and the unions.”

CEFR level