pull punches

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pull your/its punches

to deal with something in a way that is not completely honest. I want you to tell me what you think, and don't pull your punches. The film pulls its punches by making a disaster seem romantic.

Opposite of: pull no punches

Etymology: based on boxing, from the literal meaning of pull your punches (= to not hit the other fighter as hard as you can)

See also: pull, punch

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pull in
pull leg
pull no punches
pull off
pull out
pull out all the stops
pull over

pull punches
pull rank
pull socks up
pull something out of the bag
pull strings
Pull the other leg/one
pull the plug
pull the rug from under

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