gloves are off

English

Alternative forms

• gloves come off

Etymology

One possible etymology comes from the sport of boxing, where competitors fistfight wearing padded gloves; removing the gloves during a fight could result in serious physical injury. Another comes from the trend of gentlemen wearing gloves as part of their outfit; these gloves would often be taken off before engaging in rough behavior.

Pronunciation

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Phrase

gloves are off

1. Expressing that people are arguing or competing without regard to their actions or each other's feelings.

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

   • 2023 October 18, Mel Holley, “Network News: Harper attacks Labour over strikes... but unions hit back”, in RAIL, number 994, page 18:

     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.

See also

• (in an uncontrolled or difficult situation): when push comes to shove, when the chips are down, in a pinch
• knockdown-dragout
• take off one's gloves
• the knives are out