no holds barred en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
-
(not-comparable) Without restrictions on holds or what opponents may do.
a no holds barred match
-
(figuratively, not-comparable) Having absolutely no limits or restrictions as far as the levels and nature of one's hostilities and offense; taking to an especially ruthless or vicious manner.
Near-synonyms: unrestrained, unrestricted, unreserved, unconstrained, cutthroat
“But the Russian doctrine of mass firing and no holds barred was visible in Chechnya, and there is the potential that Russia will get its act together tactically, and that will result in mass fire against population centers.”
2022 February 28, Steven Erlanger, quoting Douglas Lute, “After a Fumbled Start, Russian Forces Hit Harder in Ukraine”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:Among them was Ryan Ferchaud, 37, a tourist from Memphis who mostly faulted groups of college students for what she said was their no-holds-barred attitude regarding the mayhem.
2021 March 22, Neil Vigdor, Michael Majchrowicz, Azi Paybarah, “Miami Beach, Overwhelmed by Spring Break, Extends Emergency Curfew”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:a no holds barred debating style that quickly transformed into cheap shots and bickering
There isn’t much reason to be optimistic about thoughtful dialogue in this general election. Both sides are girded for a negative, no-holds-barred slugfest.
2016 May 8, Albert R. Hunt, “Trump and Clinton Campaigns Gear Up for a Slugfest”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| no-holds-barred | alternative | lexicographic |
Relateds
pull out all the stops · pull one's punches · all-in wrestling · boots and all
Synonyms
cutthroat · unrestrained · unconstrained · unreserved · unrestricted
Translations (7)
fi ei kiellettyjä otteita (in wrestling: without restrictions on holds or what opponents may do) · it senza esclusione di colpi (idiomatic: having absolutely no reserve or restrictions in lengths; in an especially ruthless or vicious manner) · pl bez ograniczeń (in wrestling: without restrictions on holds or what opponents may do) · fi ilman kiellettyjä otteita (in wrestling: without restrictions on holds or what opponents may do) · pt luta livre (in wrestling: without restrictions on holds or what opponents may do) · pl wszystkie chwyty dozwolone (idiomatic: having absolutely no reserve or restrictions in lengths; in an especially ruthless or vicious manner) · fi kaikki sallittu (idiomatic: having absolutely no reserve or restrictions in lengths; in an especially ruthless or vicious manner)