World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionariespoupar críticas
Pronunciation / Transliteration: pow-par kri-ti-kas
"Ele não poupou críticas à gestão atual."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To restrain the force of one's blows in boxing, or more generally, to be less forceful, severe, or critical than one could be.
"The journalist did not pull his punches when interviewing the corrupt politician." - 2
To hold back one's full effort or resources in a competitive or challenging situation.
"Now that we are in the finals, we cannot afford to pull our punches."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating in the sport of boxing, the idiom refers to a fighter physically holding back the full force of a blow to avoid hurting their opponent severely. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the phrase transitioned into metaphorical use, describing anyone deliberately reducing the intensity of their criticism, effort, or attack.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Pull one's punches"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Pull one's punches" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
y aller de main morte
Transliteration: ee al-ay duh main mort
"Il n'y est pas allé de main morte dans ses critiques."
sich zurückhalten
Transliteration: zikh tsu-ryk-hal-ten
"Der Kritiker hat sich dieses Mal nicht zurückgehalten."
andareoci ciado / trattenersi
Transliteration: trattenersi
Script: trattenersi
"Non bisogna trattenersi quando si denunciano le ingiustizie."
andarse con rodeos
Transliteration: an-dar-se kon ro-de-os
"El periodista no se anduvo con rodeos en su artículo."
poupar críticas
Transliteration: pow-par kri-ti-kas
"Ele não poupou críticas à gestão atual."
रियायत बरतना
Transliteration: riyayat baratna
"समीक्षक ने अपनी आलोचना में कोई रियायत नहीं बरती।"
手下留情
Transliteration: shǒu xià liú qíng
"他在评论时没有手下留情。"
사정을 두다
Transliteration: sajeongeul duda
"그는 비판할 때 전혀 사정을 두지 않았다."
手加減する
Transliteration: tekagen suru
"彼は一切手加減せずに批判した。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
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A person who practices the art or technique of lithography, producing printed material from a flat stone or metal plate.
Lengthwise along a ship, from the bow to the stern.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Pull one's punches"
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