pulling punches

USAGE SUMMARY

"pulling punches" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to someone not speaking or acting with full candor, often to avoid hurting someone's feelings. For example, "She tried not to criticize too harshly, pulling her punches to spare his feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Samsung isn't pulling punches.

The New York Times

The Daily News was beloved for not pulling punches.

The Washington Post

No point pulling punches here: this is a beautiful show.

The New York Times - Arts

My colleagues are not to blame for pulling punches.

The Guardian - Opinion

U.S. officials also said they are not pulling punches with the Chinese.

The Washington Post

Their fear is that the intergovernmental panel might be pulling punches.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

They don't pull punches.

The New York Times

TripAdvisor does not pull punches.

The New York Times

"They didn't pull punches," he adds.

The Guardian

And he neither pulls punches nor apologizes.

The New York Times

Flynn, she said, "doesn't pull punches".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pulling punches" when you want to describe a situation where someone is deliberately softening their language or actions, often to avoid conflict or spare someone's feelings. It's particularly effective in political or professional contexts where directness might be seen as inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "pulling punches" when the situation calls for complete transparency and directness. The phrase implies a degree of intentional withholding, which can be detrimental in situations requiring full disclosure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pulling punches" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as part of a verb phrase. As seen in Ludwig examples, it describes a manner of communicating or acting with less force or directness than one is capable of.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Arts

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pulling punches" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic phrase that means to act or speak with less force or directness than one is capable of. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's often used in news, media, and professional contexts to describe situations where restraint is exercised to avoid causing offense or escalating conflict. While it's appropriate to use in various settings, avoid using it when complete transparency is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mincing words

Involves using euphemisms or indirect language to avoid being blunt or offensive.

soft-pedaling

Refers to downplaying the importance or severity of something to make it seem less significant.

sugarcoating

Implies making something seem more appealing or acceptable by presenting it in a favorable light, often deceptively.

toning down

Suggests reducing the intensity or severity of language, actions, or opinions.

holding back

Indicates restraining oneself from expressing one's full thoughts or exerting one's full effort.

being diplomatic

Suggests using tact and sensitivity to avoid offending or antagonizing others.

refraining from criticism

Denotes consciously avoiding negative comments or judgment.

exercising restraint

Implies deliberately controlling one's words or actions to avoid causing harm or offense.

not going all out

Indicates not putting forth one's maximum effort or not utilizing all available resources.

taking it easy

Suggests adopting a more relaxed and less forceful approach.

FAQs

How can I use "pulling punches" in a sentence?

You can use "pulling punches" to describe someone who is being less forceful or direct than they could be, such as: "The interviewer wasn't "pulling punches", asking the candidate very direct questions about their past failures."

What does it mean to say someone is "not pulling any punches"?

To say someone is "not "pulling any punches"" means they are being very direct and forceful, without trying to soften the impact of their words or actions. It's the opposite of "pulling punches".

Are there situations where "pulling punches" is beneficial?

Yes, ""pulling punches"" can be beneficial in delicate situations where directness could be hurtful or counterproductive. For example, when giving constructive criticism, it might be wise to soften the blow to avoid discouraging the recipient.

What are some similar phrases to "pulling punches"?

Similar phrases include "mincing words", "soft-pedaling", or "sugarcoating", all of which describe ways of making something seem less harsh or severe.